He captured some of the world’s most famous faces over six decades.
Terry O’Neill’s candid shots are instantly recognisable, from Brigitte Bardot to Faye Dunaway.
Now the story of the photographer is to be told in new documentary feature film.
Iconic: The Terry O’Neill Story will feature the story behind some of his most famous shots, including those of The Beatles, David Bowie, Elton John, The Rolling Stones and Amy Winehouse.
Two years after his death, filmmakers have been granted access to O’Neill’s complete archive including many images which are still being discovered and digitised, as well as contact sheets, filmed footage and work diaries.
Robin Morgan, who was O’Neill’s closest confidant for more than 30 years, said: “Only Terry’s closest friends know the real Terry O’Neill and the secrets that were buried with him.
"He had a bewitching influence over the most beautiful and influential women on the planet.
"He had film star looks himself and an easy going, charming but respectful rapport. He once told me he learned everything about women from his friend Frank Sinatra.
"He even pulled off the impossible - making Her Majesty The Queen drop her guard and chuckle mischievously into his camera."
He added: "Doors opened for Terry O’Neill. What was his secret; was it his tradecraft or his personality that took him behind the closed doors and into the corridors and boudoirs of fame?
"He not only photographed the stars, some were his lovers and two were his wives. What did he take with him to the grave that would make him reject million dollar offers for his memoir?"
O’Neill grew up in working class London with a dream of becoming a jazz drummer.
While working in a photographic unit at London’s Heathrow Airport in the 1950s, he took a snap of a sleeping man which later turned out to be the then Home Secretary Rab Butler.
It saw him land a job with the Daily Sketch newspaper in London’s Fleet Street, where he was the youngest photographer. He then achieved fame chronicling the swinging sixties, and was a trusted confidante of the Hollywood stars at the time.
Director Oliver Murray said: "Terry’s personality and creative mind was behind every image, turning musicians, actors, politicians and sports stars into cultural icons, but his own life started a million miles away from this glittering fantasy.
"This is the story of a working class boy who became one of Britain’s most iconic creatives. With unprecedented access to his images, some of which will be digitised for the first time for this film, and interviews with people who knew him best, we will reveal an intimate portrait of the man as well as his work and legacy."
