Terry O’Neill (1938–2019) was a British photographer celebrated for his iconic portraits of celebrities, musicians, and public figures from the 1960s onwards. O’Neill’s distinctive, candid style captured stars in unguarded moments, helping to redefine celebrity portraiture. He photographed many of the most influential figures of the 20th century, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Elton John, Brigitte Bardot, Audrey Hepburn, and Frank Sinatra, who famously allowed O’Neill rare behind-the-scenes access. His work chronicled the rise of youth culture and the glamour of the swinging sixties, often revealing a more intimate, human side of fame. Over his career, O’Neill’s photographs were featured in major publications such as Vogue, Rolling Stone, Life, and The Sunday Times Magazine. In recognition of his contribution to photography, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2019, shortly before his death. Today, Terry O’Neill is remembered as one of Britain’s most important photographers, whose work continues to define the golden age of celebrity culture.

Terry O’Neill’s work has been exhibited widely, including major shows such as Terry O’Neill: Celebrity at the National Portrait Gallery in London (2003–2004) and its subsequent tour to venues like the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool. Other notable exhibitions include retrospectives at Petra Gut Contemporary in 2020, Greatest Hits at C & C Gallery in New York and Nantucket (2023), and 60 Years of Iconic Portraits at Sotheby’s London in 2020.