Woman Barely Recognizes Shaggy Ex-Husband After Wild Professional Makeover

In late 2015, a life-size photograph on the set of The Rachael Ray Show drew gasps from its New York audience. In the shot stood Connecticut man Ian Cook with his long gray locks spilling over his shoulders. With his unkempt beard, he appeared for all the world like a modern-day Gandalf from The Lord of the Rings. However, Ian’s long-suffering family thought his appearance fell far short of magical. Clearly, they all felt something had to change…

Way Overdue

So a makeover was a long time coming for the then-54 year old who lived in Stamford, CT, and worked in utilities. Indeed, Ian cheerfully admitted to the eponymous TV lifestyle magazine show host that his last hair cut had been four years prior. In fact, Rachael revealed that Ian’s appointment with some scissors was so long overdue that it had been requested by his ex-wife!

Unusual Nomination

Yes, Rachael excitedly pointed out that it was the first time ever that a former partner had ever nominated anyone for anything on the program. Whatever the motivating factor for the makeover was, though, it was clearly serious. Indeed, Karen evidently thought the situation was somewhat hairy – in both senses of the word.

Not Cool, Dad

It turned out that the former couple shared 16-year-old twin sons, Benjamin and Cameron, who lived with their mom in Milford, CT. This town was close to where their dad lived, but his appearance was beginning to put some emotional distance between Ian and his boys. So Karen was worried that the twins had got to an age where their shaggy-haired father was beginning to seriously cramp their style.

Front Row Seats

Benjamin, Cameron, and Karen sat in the front row of the TV audience when Rachael introduced the show’s style expert Kyan Douglas. The professional groomer explained Ian’s motivation, saying, “He’s doing this for his sons. Because they get a little embarrassed sometimes when they bring the ladies home, and they’ve got the Gandalf guy in the living room.” The twins were understandably uncomfortable with the situation!