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bare butts not included
May 28, 2013

A Visual Time Line of Matt Damon’s Behind the Candelabra Transformation

By Lindsey Weber

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Photo: HBO

Method-tanning process not included, Matt Damon’s Behind the Candelabra transformation took many impressive turns. First, Damon had to channel his 42-year-old self into a 17-year-old character (the actual age of Scott Thorson when he first met his future lover–father figure Liberace). Then, in chronicling the arc of their five-year relationship, Damon had to amp up the hair, wardrobe, and soon a paunch, then get prosthetics to simulate Thorson’s look-alike plastic surgery — in which Thorson took Liberace’s nose and cheekbones — and later appear as if he were wasting away from drug abuse. By the time the biopic’s story ended, Thorson was 28, still fourteen years the actual Damon’s junior. Let us watch how Father Time (and Mother Makeup) brought Damon along.

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When we first meet Thorson, Damon sports the teen's lustrous locks. When we first meet Thorson, Damon sports the teen's lustrous locks.

When we first meet Thorson, Damon sports the teen's lustrous locks.

Soon, a patchwork jean shirt to accompany the perfectly feathered hair. Soon, a patchwork jean shirt to accompany the perfectly feathered hair.

Soon, a patchwork jean shirt to accompany the perfectly feathered hair.

This first soak with Liberace is just one of the many times Damon will appear in a hot tub. This time, he's fresh as a newborn. This first soak with Liberace is just one of the many times Damon will appear in a hot tub. This time, he's fresh as a newborn.

This first soak with Liberace is just one of the many times Damon will appear in a hot tub. This time, he's fresh as a newborn.

He's now a full-time house guest, complete with eyeliner, bedazzled briefs, and (dare we guess?) spray-painted abs? He's now a full-time house guest, complete with eyeliner, bedazzled briefs, and (dare we guess?) spray-painted abs?

He's now a full-time house guest, complete with eyeliner, bedazzled briefs, and (dare we guess?) spray-painted abs?

It didn't take long for Liberace's opulent lifestyle to wear on Thorson. Cue Damon in what appears to be a fat suit straining the limits of a comically undersize white tee. It didn't take long for Liberace's opulent lifestyle to wear on Thorson. Cue Damon in what appears to be a fat suit straining the limits of a comically undersize white tee.

It didn't take long for Liberace's opulent lifestyle to wear on Thorson. Cue Damon in what appears to be a fat suit straining the limits of a comicall...

It didn't take long for Liberace's opulent lifestyle to wear on Thorson. Cue Damon in what appears to be a fat suit straining the limits of a comically undersize white tee.

Multiple necklaces are wrapped around a prosthetically enhanced flabby neck. The facial features are still Damon's, and it's the last time you'll see them in their natural state. Multiple necklaces are wrapped around a prosthetically enhanced flabby neck. The facial features are still Damon's, and it's the last time you'll see them in their natural state.

Multiple necklaces are wrapped around a prosthetically enhanced flabby neck. The facial features are still Damon's, and it's the last time you'll see ...

Multiple necklaces are wrapped around a prosthetically enhanced flabby neck. The facial features are still Damon's, and it's the last time you'll see them in their natural state.

With Liberace's nose, chin, and some brand-new sharp cheekbones, Thorson's plastic makeover is complete. Watch out, Lady Gaga. With Liberace's nose, chin, and some brand-new sharp cheekbones, Thorson's plastic makeover is complete. Watch out, Lady Gaga.

With Liberace's nose, chin, and some brand-new sharp cheekbones, Thorson's plastic makeover is complete. Watch out, Lady Gaga.

Don't forget that dimpled chin! Sure, Liberace doesn't have one, but Thorson really wanted something he could call his own. Don't forget that dimpled chin! Sure, Liberace doesn't have one, but Thorson really wanted something he could call his own.

Don't forget that dimpled chin! Sure, Liberace doesn't have one, but Thorson really wanted something he could call his own.

Do make note of the couple's matching outfits. Do make note of the couple's matching outfits.

Do make note of the couple's matching outfits.

Give him that night fever, night fever. He knows how to show it ... Give him that night fever, night fever. He knows how to show it ...

Give him that night fever, night fever. He knows how to show it ...

Fancy furs do make lovely comforters when you're passed out at the porno shop. Fancy furs do make lovely comforters when you're passed out at the porno shop.

Fancy furs do make lovely comforters when you're passed out at the porno shop.

"Gatsby? What Gatsby?" "Gatsby? What Gatsby?"

"Gatsby? What Gatsby?"

Dressed in Liberace's finest, those gems really bring out Damon's baby blues. Dressed in Liberace's finest, those gems really bring out Damon's baby blues.

Dressed in Liberace's finest, those gems really bring out Damon's baby blues.

Back in the famous hot tub. Back in the famous hot tub.

Back in the famous hot tub.

A fantastic collared number, with what appears to be a black fur slung over one shoulder. A fantastic collared number, with what appears to be a black fur slung over one shoulder.

A fantastic collared number, with what appears to be a black fur slung over one shoulder.

When attending to his legal woes, Thorson goes with a suit and tie, accessorized with Paul Reiser. When attending to his legal woes, Thorson goes with a suit and tie, accessorized with Paul Reiser.

When attending to his legal woes, Thorson goes with a suit and tie, accessorized with Paul Reiser.

Off of drugs and living in a small apartment on his own, Thorson's face is slimmed down for Liberace's funeral. The cheekbone shadows play up the weathered look at the ripe old age of 28. Off of drugs and living in a small apartment on his own, Thorson's face is slimmed down for Liberace's funeral. The cheekbone shadows play up the weathered look at the ripe old age of 28.

Off of drugs and living in a small apartment on his own, Thorson's face is slimmed down for Liberace's funeral. The cheekbone shadows play up the weat...

Off of drugs and living in a small apartment on his own, Thorson's face is slimmed down for Liberace's funeral. The cheekbone shadows play up the weathered look at the ripe old age of 28.

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