Frank Ryan Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information

VENTURA, Calif. (AP) - Celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan, who made headlines for performing multiple surgeries on reality TV star Heidi Montag earlier this year, has died. He was 50 years old.

The California Highway Patrol says Ryan's 1995 Jeep Wrangler went off the side of Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu and landed on its roof Monday afternoon.

Besides Montag, Ryan's celebrity clientele included musician Vince Neil, actor Lorenzo Lamas, reality stars Lisa Gastineau and Adrianne Curry and several models and beauty queens.

Montag, who underwent 10 procedures in one day with Ryan, took to Twitter to share her reaction to his death.

"I am devastated," the 23-year-old reality star wrote on the micro-blogging site Tuesday. "He was the most amazing person I have ever known. He was an angel and changed my life and the lives of everyone he met. He was the most brilliant talented surgeon who will ever exist. Dr. Frank Ryan changed the world."

The Ventura County medical examiner's office said an autopsy would be performed Tuesday. He said no cause of death has been established.

Ryan's friend and client, model and reality star Janice Dickison, was "deeply, deeply anguished" after hearing of the doctor's death, her publicist said.

"She is stunned and wants the world to know what a genius Dr. Ryan was," publicist Brad Taylor said Tuesday. "Her love goes out to his mother and the rest of the family."

According to Ryan's website, he graduated from the University of Michigan in 1982 and from the Ohio State University College of Medicine four years later.

Ryan opened his private practice in 1994, the same year he established his namesake charitable foundation that provides free removal of gang-related tattoos and hosts day and overnight camps for children at Malibu's Bony Pony Ranch.

A call to Ryan's office Tuesday was not immediately returned.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press

Not sure what to say?

Get email updates for this page

Posting Guidelines|FAQ

IHAD MANY GREAT WEEKENDS WORKING AT WEST OAKS URGENT CARE IN SFVALLEY WHEN DR RYAN WAS MOON LIGHTING AS A MD WAITING TO COMPLETE HIS PLASTIC RESIDENCY TIME .WE BOTH HAD DREAMS AND I WILL NEVER FORGET ONE DAY AS WE PUT IN OUR HOURS I AS HIS ASSISSANT NURSE AND HE THE DR TAKING WALK INS ALL DAY I ASKED HIM SO DR RYAN WHERE R U GOING TO DO AFTER YOU COMPLETE YOUR RESIDENCY SINCE WE BOYH WERE LEAVING AFTER 5 YRARS HE STOOD UP CLOSE TO ME AND WITH A BIG SMILE SAID IAM GOING TO BE YHE NUMBER ONE...

DEBORAH JOHNSTON

September 13, 2010 | CHATSWORTH, CA

i wish to extend my condolences too.

mariam donerian

September 03, 2010 | Somersville, CT

I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Dr. Frank Ryan.

He accomplished incredible goals that most can only dream of and still found the time to care so much for others.

ALD, Florida

August 29, 2010

Dr. Ryan A talented artist and animal lover... If only there were more like you. You touched this life, and the lives of others, with hope -- may you have eternal peace in return. And may your family somehow find solace after this loss.

N N

August 27, 2010 | LA, CA

Godspeed on angels' wings

P F

August 26, 2010 | Indianapolis, IN

Dr. Ryan, you had a magical way of making people feel attended to, heard, and beautiful. I have never in my life met anyone as talented, aware, hard-working and sincerely kind as you. You are the only doctor that I truly felt I could close my eyes and trust. You are greatly missed. Thank you for showing us a true and pure example of a human being. Eternal love to you and your family.

A Z

August 26, 2010 | Santa Monica, CA

Dr Ryan, You were a wonderful and talented doctor. I will miss you.

mary branch

August 25, 2010 | Silver Spring, MD

Dr Ryan and I are from Ohio and attended Ohio State University at diffrent times. I emailed him over a year ago as to a consult and was surprised that he responded due to his busy schedule. I feel sad and a lose as so many others. My heart goes out to his family and people he touched so deeply. His spirit will shine forever.
Linda Rowe-O'Neal
Seattle,WA

August 25, 2010

Dr. Frank Ryan is the best. He worked on me about 8 years ago and it was a wonderful experience. I have been back to visit him at times while I was on vacation in California and he was always welcoming and gracious; he even sent me a wedding gift when I got married. I really hope I do not need any work done in the future because I would not even begin to know what to do or who to go to. Dr. Frank Ryan is second to NONE.

C J

August 25, 2010 | Phoenix, AZ

Dr. Frank Ryan

Obituary

Guest Book