What are the stories behind some of the most famous celebrity scars? Discover the origins of famous scars worn by Seal, J.R. Martinez, Tina Fey, and more, plus tips for scar management.

Seal’s Discoid Lupus Scars

Grammy award-winning singer Seal is known for the distinct scars on his face and scalp, caused by a skin condition called discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). Seal developed DLE as a teenager, which led to permanent scarring. “DLE is a disfiguring disease in which the immune cells attack the skin from underneath, creating inflammatory areas and scarring of the scalp, ears, face, and sometimes chest and arms. The scars that form from the disease are permanent, so prevention and early treatment is the best management,” explained Dr. Jessica Krant, a board-certified dermatologist.

J.R. Martinez’s Burn Scars

Cpl. J.R. Martinez of the 101st Airborne Division was just 19 when he was deployed to Iraq in 2003. Less than a month later, a Humvee he was driving hit a landmine, leaving him with burns on more than 40% of his body. Today, the actor and Dancing with the Stars champion views his scars as a gift, and he has visited other wounded veterans to provide them with hope and purpose. “Once a burn patient is stabilized, the treatment depends on how large an area has been affected. New skin must be either taken from another area of the body, grown from the patient’s own cells, or applied from an artificial graft,” said Dr. Krant.

Tina Fey’s Childhood Scar

When the 30 Rock actress was a child, a random stranger slashed the left side of her face, leaving a scar from just below her cheekbone to under her bottom lip. Fey doesn’t like to publicly discuss the origin of the scar and covers it with makeup to make it less noticeable. “There is no single, reliable, perfect scar treatment, but depending on the scar, injecting it with corticosteroid to flatten and relax it, using silicone gel sheeting, or occasionally some types of laser may be helpful. Massage and time are also great factors in improving scars,” said Dr. Krant.

Padma Lakshmi’s Car Accident Scar

The former model and host of Top Chef has grown fond of the thick, seven-inch long scar on the front of her arm, which is the result of a car accident that occurred when she was 14. Upset about it at first, Lakshmi has said that she now views it as a source of affirmation instead of an ugly mark. “On rare occasion, a scar can be cut out and re-stitched to make a less visible scar after a long time of initial healing, for a thinner, flatter scar,” Dr. Krant explained.

Harrison Ford’s Chin Scar

The well-known scar on Harrison Ford’s chin has even been written into some of his movies — it was from a whip in Indiana Jones and an ear piercing gone wrong in Working Girl. In real life, Ford earned the scar when he lost control of his car while putting on his seatbelt. “When a deep cut occurs, you may be able to minimize scarring with fast action. Keep the wound moist with petroleum jelly and out of the sun, and seek a doctor’s advice immediately to see if it’s the type of wound that would benefit from suturing,” said Dr. Krant.

Mary J. Blige’s Mysterious Scar

While Grammy award-winning singer Mary J. Blige has never acknowledged how she got the scar below her left eye, rumors abound that it resulted from a fight she had with another woman. Another story is that the scar is from a traumatic event during childhood that she made a pact to never discuss. In one interview, Blige did say, “If I don’t accept the scar on my face, the lips that God gave me, the big giant feet, the long legs, whatever it is that I’m deformed with, I got to love it so everybody else can love it. And I started loving it.”

Joaquin Phoenix’s Cleft Lip

Joaquin Phoenix was born with what looks like a type of scar between his lip and nose. It’s actually a microform cleft, the mildest form of cleft lip. It typically appears as a scar or notch. Cleft lip is a birth defect that occurs when the upper lip does not fully close during fetal development.

Caring for Your Own Scars

According to Dr. Krant, there are several options for minimizing the appearance of scars, depending on the type and severity. These include injecting corticosteroids to flatten and relax the scar, using silicone gel sheeting, and in some cases, laser treatments. Massage and time are also important factors in improving the look of scars. For deep cuts, it’s important to keep the wound moist with petroleum jelly, protect it from the sun, and seek medical advice on whether suturing would be beneficial.

The stories behind these celebrities’ scars demonstrate that scars can come from a wide range of causes, from skin conditions to accidents to birth defects. While some choose to openly discuss their scars, others prefer to keep the details private. Regardless of the origin, scars can be a source of both pain and affirmation for those who wear them.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the story behind Seal’s facial scars?

Seal’s distinctive facial and scalp scars are the result of a skin condition called discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE), which he developed as a teenager. DLE is an autoimmune disease that can cause permanent scarring on the skin.

How did J.R. Martinez get his burn scars?

J.R. Martinez, an actor and former soldier, received severe burns on over 40% of his body when the Humvee he was driving in Iraq hit a landmine in 2003. He has undergone numerous surgeries and therapies to help treat the scarring.

Why doesn’t Tina Fey like to discuss her facial scar?

As a child, Tina Fey was the victim of a random attack where a stranger slashed the left side of her face, leaving a scar. Fey prefers to cover the scar with makeup and does not like to publicly discuss the traumatic origin of the mark.

How did Padma Lakshmi come to have a scar on her arm?

Padma Lakshmi’s seven-inch scar on her arm is the result of a car accident she was in as a teenager. Initially upset by the scar, Lakshmi has since grown to view it as a source of affirmation and part of her interesting past.

What is the story behind the scar on Harrison Ford’s chin?

Harrison Ford’s famous chin scar was earned when he lost control of his car while putting on his seatbelt. The scar has even been written into some of his movie roles, like in Indiana Jones and Working Girl.

How did Mary J. Blige get the scar under her eye?

The origin of the scar below Mary J. Blige’s left eye is a mystery. Rumors suggest it may have come from a fight, or from a traumatic childhood event that the singer has chosen not to discuss publicly.

What is the story behind Joaquin Phoenix’s facial feature?

Joaquin Phoenix was born with a microform cleft, the mildest form of cleft lip. This appears as a scar or notch between his lip and nose, the result of incomplete fetal development of the upper lip.