Dr. Arnold Klein, the late Michael Jackson’s close friend and former dermatologist, passed away on Thursday at the age of 70.
CNN reports that Klein passed away due to natural causes , in Palm Springs, California. Klein was arguably most well-known for providing dermatology services to Jackson, but the list of celebrities he provided services for were quite extensive, including Elizabeth Taylor, Carrie Fisher, and Dolly Parton. According to NBC News , Klein’s specialties lied within Botox treatments and Restylane treatments, which helped patients battle wrinkled and sagging skin problems.
Klein, originally from Mt. Clemens, Michigan, moved to California when he was in his 20s, and opened up his first medical practice in Beverly Hills. His work became so popular that he was given the unofficial titles of “Father of Botox” and “King of Lips.” Klein eventually became popular among celebrities.
Yet, along with popularity came scrutiny against the dermatologist, including speculation that he contributed to Jackson’s death. Authorities investigated Klein after Jackson’s death in 2009 due to medications prescribed to the late singer by the dermatologist. Klein was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing. He fought back by saying he never hurts his patients and he is talented in his craft.
“I’ve given my life for other people and have gotten screwed for it…. Do you know I discovered the first human gene? … Do you know I treated the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia? … My great-great-uncle is Albert Einstein Lawrence Klein, my cousin, won the Nobel Prize.”
Along with being one of Jackson’s close friends, Klein treated Jackson for more than 25 years.
Klein gave an interview shortly after Jackson passed away, and said that the “Thriller” singer was in a great mood, dancing and singing. However, the dermatologist also stated that he felt Jackson had an issue with the prescription drug Propofol, which was found in Jackson’s system when he died.
“I knew the problem existed. I did my best to prevent it. Whenever I could, I prevented it, but I am only one man, and I have to support my own life and take care of myself.”
Klein was often rumored to be the biological father of Jackson’s oldest son, Prince Jackson, 18. Although the dermatologist once left cryptic photos of himself and Prince, the rumors have never been substantiated. Prince took to Twitter recently, after being constantly harassed about his paternity. The college student provided a classy response to the doubters, indicating that Michael Jackson would forever be his father.
“‘The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.’ I was raised by my dad with my brother and sister.”
“The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb” I was raised by my dad with my brother and sister. https://t.co/0Ofs2vrnZs
— Prince Jackson (@princemjjjaxon) October 6, 2015
During his lifetime and career, Klein received numerous honors and awards for his work and achievements, including:
- Best Doctors in America
- Who’s Who in the World
- Award of Merit, Los Angeles magazine
- Men of Achievement
- The Best of L.A., Los Angeles Business Journal
Arnold Klein received his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He completed his residency in dermatology at both the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).
[Photos by Ethan Miller/Getty Images & Michael Buckner/Getty Images]
