‘Oprah’ Star and Celebrity Stylist Found Dead on Roof of His Luxury Apartment Building

Celebrity stylist and makeover expert Christopher Hopkins, best known as “The Makeover Guy” and for his appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, was found dead in a rooftop swimming pool at his luxury Minneapolis apartment complex on Saturday night. He was 61.

Authorities say Hopkins had been swimming for some time before he fell unconscious. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. An official cause of death has not yet been determined, though Hopkins’ social media account noted on Wednesday that he passed away when his “heart failed him.” The account added, “Christopher’s creativity, authenticity, and passion inspired so many lives. Rest in peace, Christopher.”

Hopkins’ husband of 37 years, Robert Lindquist, told the Minnesota Star Tribune that his late husband was an “amazing man” and “worldwide, people were fans of his.”

Hopkins made his first appearance on Oprah in 1996 and returned in 1999, quickly making a name for himself as a celebrity stylist and makeover expert. Over the years, he worked with high-profile clients including Hillary Clinton and actress Lauren Holly. In recent years, he focused on helping everyday women through makeovers, offering beauty and style tips to a wider audience.

In 2008, he published the bestselling book Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45 and launched a YouTube channel, “Makeoverguy Appearance Studios,” which grew to over 500,000 subscribers. His channel shared makeup and beauty tutorials, with the last video posted on Monday—two days after his passing.

Hopkins got his start in broadcasting when he opened the Christopher Hopkins Salon in 1990, working with local on-air anchors and reporters. He later opened the Christopher Hopkins Image Center in Minneapolis and made guest appearances on HGTV and the Today Show, solidifying his reputation as a leading stylist and makeover expert.

In addition to his work in beauty, Hopkins was an accomplished baritone singer, performing with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Erie Philharmonic, and the Hannover Radio Philharmonic in Germany. His 1999 debut song, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, earned a nomination at the Gay Lesbian American Music Awards.

Throughout his career, Hopkins emphasized empowering women to feel confident at any age. In a 2008 interview with the Chicago Tribune, he said, “A lot of women figure out what works in their 20s and early 30s, but those things all change. I give women the tools and techniques for their second act.”