1 week ago
John McClain, a co-executor of Michael Jackson’s estate, died Tuesday astatine nan property of 71, Page Six tin confirm.
We’re told nan seasoned euphony executive had awesome wellness issues and was sick for a agelong time, pinch 1 root claiming he had cancer.
According to TMZ, who was first to study nan news, he died successful Malibu, California.
McClain and intermezo lawyer John Branca were named co-executors of Jackson’s property pursuing nan King of Pop’s decease successful July 2009.
Jackson was successful indebtedness to nan tune of hundreds of millions of dollars erstwhile he died unexpectedly astatine nan property of 50 from acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication.
McClain and Branca were capable to make billions successful gross done music, licensing, film, theatrical productions and catalog exploitation.
Specific projects and deals tied to nan property nether McClain and Branca see nan October 2009 performance documentary “Michael Jackson’s This Is It,” nan Michael Jackson: One by Cirque du Soleil imperishable resident show successful Las Vegas, which has been moving since 2013, nan 2014 posthumous medium “Xscape” and nan precocious released “Michael” biopic.
McClain handled much of nan imaginative broadside of things and was often praised for maintaining Jackson’s creator integrity posthumously, while Branca’s attraction has been connected ineligible and transactional matters.
However, Jackson’s family members — particularly his daughter, Paris Jackson — have publically challenged aspects of nan executors’ guidance and compensation.
In July 2025, nan 28-year-old sued McClain and Branca, 75, for unauthorized aliases poorly documented payments, including to themselves.
Though nan brace person consistently denied wrongdoing, Paris scored a ineligible triumph past week erstwhile a judge ordered $625,000 successful prize payments beryllium returned to nan estate.
It’s unclear whether a caller co-executor will beryllium appointed, and reps for nan duo did not instantly respond to Page Six’s requests for comment.
Not overmuch is known astir McClain’s individual life, but he worked successful A&R for decades and had heavy roots successful achromatic popular and R&B development.
Notably, he was intimately associated pinch Jackson’s sister Janet Jackson’s breakthrough era and worked pinch artists for illustration Ice Cube and Dr. Dre.
