Photo: Kathy Hutchins and Sam Aronov / Shutterstock
Some think the 'Mad About You' star looks different.
By Rebekah Kuschmider — Written on Feb 23, 2021
Helen Hunt, the 57-year old actress, director, and screenwriter, arguably best known for her role in the beloved '90s sitcom "Mad About You," recently returned her beaming smile to small screens everywhere. The reboot launched on Spectrum's On-Demand platform on November 10, 2019, once again bringing lovable couple Paul and Jamie Buchman, played by Paul Reiser and Hunt, to our living rooms.
At the time, Reiser shared that the aim of the revival was “not trying to bring it back to 1999. We’re not trying to go back to anything... the hope is that it’s sort of timeless and that it’s not confined to any period or anything topical."
Of course, while the best TV shows may be timeless, we humans are not (nor should we be). And when Helen Hunt appeared on "Good Morning America" in December 2018 to promote her appearance on PBS series "Shakespeare Uncovered," some viewers thought the Oscar and Emmy-winning actress looked different than she had until recently.
Did Helen Hunt have plastic surgery?
Helen Hunt (understandably) has yet to comment on the rumors that she's had work done to make herself appear younger, so there's no proof of any kind that the actress has undergone any cosmetic procedures.
Despite this, rumors went into high gear after her GMA appearance, as fans became more and more vocal about their hunches that Hunt had to have had something done recently.
In October 2019, around the same time Hunt was involved in a near-devastating car accident in which the SUV she was riding in was struck by another vehicle, rumors of her possibly having had a facelift resurfaced. Fans claimed to spot a noticeable difference in the actress's appearance looked in the BBC drama series, "World on Fire."
Some went as far as openly expressing their thoughts about how "distracting" Hunt's possible facelift was for them when they were watching the show. Others, however, shot down the rumors, noting that the distraction they felt might actually be due to bad CGI, not plastic surgery.
The photo below shows Hunt on December 16, 2019, attending the "Mad About You" red carpet event at The Rainbow Room in New York City.
Photo: Sam Aronov / Shutterstock
Dr. Adam Schaffner, a plastic surgeon who states has not treated Hunt, suggested she may have had "lifting procedures such as facelift and necklift," adding that she "may have also had a minimally-invasive thread lift," as well as Botox and/or fillers.
Such public dissections of famous women's physical features are unfortunate, distasteful, and saddening at best, so it's unsurprising that Hunt, a seasoned Hollywood veteran, has refused to take the bait and respond to questions about her alleged procedures with either a yes or no.
After all, Hunt, who reportedly boasts a net worth of an estimated $75 million, has been in the public eye since she was a child actor.
Below, Helen Hunt is shown arriving at the 18th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards in Los Angeles on January 9, 2013.
Photo: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock
Born on June 15, 1963 (making her a Gemini), Hunt began following in the footsteps of her father, American director, and acting coach Gordon Hunt, when she was just 8 years old. In the 1970s, she was cast in roles on multiple legendary hit TV-series, including, "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," "Swiss Family Robinson," "The Bionic Woman," and "The Facts Of Life."
She's particularly well known by Gen X for her turn in the cult classic after-school special, "Desperate Lives," in which her character takes PCP once, only to throw herself screaming out a window. That scene, complete with a stunt double who may very well actually be a large rag doll, is an absolute classic among 1980s television specials.
As her career in Hollywood progressed, she's gone from playing ingenues in romantic comedies to roles in which she serves as a figure of wisdom and guidance. And through it all, she has continued to age gracefully.
Hunt's impressively long and successful career in film and television has led to much-deserved awards and accolades.
In 1998, Hunt won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her work in "As Good As It Gets," in which she starred opposite Jack Nicholson.
Helen Hunt at the 70th Annual Academy Awards ceremony in 1998.
Photo: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock
Hunt looked great in the 2018 film, "The Miracle Season."
She may not look like the fresh-faced young actress she was earlier in her career, but frankly, no one should expect (or even particularly value) such a thing.
Hunt's neck, forehead, and other features show natural signs of aging, and her face has taken on elegant contours she didn't have when she was younger.
Below, Helen Hunt attends the Los Angeles premiere of 'Consumed' in November of 2015.
Photo: Press Line Photos / Shutterstock
Whether or not Helen Hunt has had plastic surgery or other cosmetic work done, she remains as beautiful, talented, and accomplished as ever.
As far as her personal life is concerned, Hunt has been divorced from actor Hank Azaria since 2000.
Her long-term romance with writer and producer Matthew Carnahan, with whom she shares 16-year old daughter Makena Le, ended in 2017.
Rebekah Kuschmider has been writing about celebrities, pop culture, entertainment, and politics since 2010. Her work has been seen at Ravishly, Babble, Scary Mommy, The Mid, Redbook online, and The Broad Side.