Scott Thorson, Liberace’s Lover & ‘Behind The Candelabra’ Author, Dies At 65

Scott Thorson, best known as the former lover of entertainment icon Liberace, died on Aug. 16 in Los Angeles at age 65. The cause of death has not been disclosed, though sources indicate Thorson had been battling cancer and heart issues at a local healthcare facility.

Thorson gained notoriety for his 1988 memoir Behind The Candelabra: My Life With Liberace, which detailed his six-year relationship with the flamboyant pianist. The book served as the basis for an acclaimed HBO film starring Michael Douglas and Matt Damon.

In the memoir, Thorson made several startling claims, including that Liberace had paid for plastic surgery to make Thorson resemble a younger version of himself. These allegations first surfaced in 1982 when Thorson filed a $113 million palimony lawsuit against Liberace. The case was settled out of court in 1986, with Thorson receiving $75,000, three cars, and three dogs.

During their relationship, Thorson worked as Liberace’s chauffeur in Las Vegas. The pair’s romance ended amid Thorson’s increasing drug use, which he attributed partly to medications prescribed during his recovery from plastic surgery.

After his split from Liberace, Thorson became embroiled in the infamous Wonderland Massacre case. He testified against nightclub owner Eddie Nash in connection with the 1981 killings of four people in Los Angeles’ Laurel Canyon neighborhood. The trial ended with a hung jury, and Nash was acquitted.

Thorson claimed he entered witness protection following the trial, adopting the alias Jess Marlow. His later years were marked by ongoing struggles with addiction and legal troubles, including prison sentences for drug-related offenses and other crimes.