John Cusack’s noticeably taut appearance sparked online speculation about possible cosmetic procedures during a podcast appearance this week.
The 60-year-old actor, celebrated for films such as Serendipity, Sixteen Candles and Con Air, appeared to be sporting a different look while reflecting on his career in the latest episode of the Happy Sad Confused with Josh Horowitz podcast.
As Cusack discussed the 1989 romantic comedy Say Anything, viewers focused on his face. One commenter joked that he was “turning into Barry Manilow,” a reference to the singer’s widely discussed facelift.
Other users likewise suggested, without offering evidence, that the actor may have undergone cosmetic work, sharing their opinions in the comments.
One person wrote: “I’ll take super-obvious face lifts for a thousand, Alex,” while another commented: “Oy vey, the facial fillers must stop…”
Additional remarks included: “Oh honey, his face,” “These guys and their facelifts!”, “What has he done, looks like Liza Minnelli” and “Ohhhh no they got John.”
John Cusack’s refreshed appearance prompted social media users to speculate about possible plastic surgery during his podcast interview this week.
Cusack is pictured attending the 2016 Berlinale International Film Festival.
The actor appears alongside Anthony Michael Hall and Darren Harris in Sixteen Candles in 1984.
Some fans pushed back against the criticism, reminding fellow commenters that Cusack is now 60. “People in these comments: John is 60 years old! People still think he is in his 20s?” one wrote.
Others offered their support, writing: “He’s always so calm, polite and grounded!”, “Love every one of his movies” and “so handsome.”
The Daily Mail has contacted Cusack’s representatives for comment but has not yet received a response.
During the candid interview, Cusack also addressed a persistent rumor that he had turned down the lead role of Walter White in the hit series Breaking Bad, which ultimately starred Bryan Cranston.
“Some of those things are so weird, because there was this whole riff that I had turned down Walter White. And I never ever remembered that, and I was like, did that happen and I blacked it out? Did I lose time?” he said.
“I met [Breaking Bad creator] Vince Gilligan in New York, and I was like, ‘Hey, man, I love your show, it’s awesome. I gotta know, everyone is saying you offered me that — did you offer me that?’ He was like, ‘No.’ I was like, ‘Thank you, Vince!’”
YOU MAY ALSO READ: Family Receives $1 Million Settlement After Boy Was Fatally Abused and Fed to Pigs by Father – NewsFinale
Cusack became widely known for a run of coming-of-age films in the 1980s, including Sixteen Candles and Stand By Me. In more recent years, however, he has taken on fewer high-profile projects.
In a 2020 interview with The Guardian, Cusack said his reduced presence in major films was not due to a lack of interest. Instead, he suggested Hollywood had become less willing to back his projects.
“In the last few years, I haven’t been able to get projects financed. That could be a function of getting older. Or it could be a function of being cold…” he said.
While Cusack spoke fondly about the 1989 romantic comedy Say Anything, viewers focused on his face, with one fan joking that he was “turning into Barry Manilow” in a reference to the singer’s facelift.
Other commenters speculated, without verification, that the actor had undergone cosmetic procedures; he is pictured at right in 2019.
Others defended the star and branded him ‘so handsome’
Cusack is pictured with Ione Skye in 1989 film, Say Anything
Cusack starred with Kate Beckinsale in 2001 film, Serendipity
Join the discussion
Why do you think society is so obsessed with how celebrities age and their appearance changes?
‘I haven’t really been hot for a long time.’
Cusack is known more for his outspoken political views, notably rallying against President Trump and defending Palestine.
His last American film role came in 2025 in Fog of War and he has starred in two Chinese films, Dragon Blade with Jackie Chan in 2010, and spy-thriller Decoded in 2024, which was a box office hit in China.
John is also on online marketplace Cameo, where fans pay celebrities, athletes and influencers to record short, personalised video messages – he charges $199+ per recording.
RELATED: The Lavish Lifestyle of a Chanel-Wearing ‘Karen’ Unveiled