#StoryOfTheDay... On June 27, 2020, Brett Ratner recalled Michael Jackson's meeting with Phil Stern on Instagram, attaching these beautiful photos : "Michael was a big fan of photography, especially photography of Hollywood! When I told Michael I knew the legendary photographer Phil Stern, he asked me if I'd take him home to meet him. I was surprised because MJ never wanted to leave out of the house, but he knew Phil took Marlon Brando photos and thought he'd take pictures of himself to see when Marlon was younger. I surprised Phil with a life-size photo Brando took and had him cut out on the standing cardboard he gave him. We spent the afternoon with Phil at his home going through all his archives and hearing his story behind each photo. Phil wasn't just a great photographer, he had a great sense of humor and was one of the greatest storytellers I've ever met. MJ loved a bit of him and during that visit, he bought Phil dozens of photos of his Hollywood glory.
Phil was happy and MJ couldn't have been happier that day and he was particularly pleased with the gift Phil gave him. Michael put it in front of his bed so he could see Marlon every night before he went to sleep and after he woke up. It's the little things that mean the most. Very grateful to have spent so much time with these two incredible artists... God bless them and may they both rest in peace!
P.S. At one point, a bird flew into Phil's garden and Michael took some nuts and started feeding the bird by hand and after the bird flew away, he left some nuts on the table in case He loved animals so much. Notice that Phil put on his Rush hat for me that day!!!
He took the best pictures of me and Jackie and Chris on the rush hour set so I gave him that hat in a Thank You!
Phil was in these photos in the early 80's, and years later he asked me to organize his 95th birthday party at the VA hospital, which was his last.
They met again at a party I had at Robert Evans mansion for my book Hilhaven Lodge: The PhotoBook Pictures. Michael sat with Phil at the party and they talked for a long time. He loved and respected older people. I miss them both very much!
