Dean Banowetz, The Hollywood Hair Guy

Dean Banowetz joined the nationally syndicated series "Extra" in February 2000, which coincided with the redesign and re-launch of the long-running news magazine. In addition to his responsibilities at "Extra," serving as hairstylist to the show's host Leeza Gibbons and Co-host and weekend anchor Dayna Devon, Banowetz also serves as Gibbons' personal hairstylist for her numerous special television appearances and charity events.

Dean moved to Los Angeles in 2000, leaving behind a full service salon in Bettendorf, Iowa which he owned and operated. He landed the job at "Extra" after facing stiff competition from hundreds of other applicants all across the country. In the summer of 2002 Dean took a job on a little known show called American Idol Search for a Superstar on FOX. His primary duties were to style host Ryan Seacrest's hair, along with everyone else who appeared on the show. Funny how something seemingly insignificant can snowball into a historic record breaking phenomena for FOX television!

Born and raised on a farm in DeWitt, Iowa, Banowetz is the thirteenth child among a family of fifteen. After high school he joined the Active Duty Army where, in 1987, he was selected as soldier of the year. He continued his government career for seven years. He attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City. After getting an art degree, he attended Cosmetology school at Bill Hills College of Cosmetology in Davenport, Iowa. After cosmetology school, he worked in regional dinner theatre throughout the Midwest creating wigs for the actors and also performing on stage himself. Banowetz also took this time to establish his hair clientele. As a result of years of hard work, in 1992, Banowetz was selected as the North American Educator for a major hair care manufacturer, traveling to salons all over the United States.

In 2000 he attended a school in Santa Monica, California called "On Set Motion Picture Hair Academy," a school dedicated to teaching the tricks of the trade for doing hair in Hollywood. The owner, Susan Lipson , is the one responsible for making him send out his resume to studios in the LA area. She knew he had what it took. Since then his life has changed dramatically. For that, he thanks her.

Today, Banowetz still receives hundreds of letters from former clients, as well as from television fans across the country, asking for hair care tips.

Category:

Howto & Style

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• Dean Banowetz
• The Hollywood Hair Guy
• Hairstylist
• InStyler
• Hollywood
• Style
• Leeza Gibbons
• Ryan Seacrest
• American Idol