Phil Stern (September 3, 1919 – December 13, 2014) was an American photographer known for his work as a combat photographer during World War II and his later portraits of Hollywood celebrities. Born in New York City, he developed an early interest in photography and served in the U.S. Army Air Forces, documenting the North African and Italian campaigns. After the war, he moved to Hollywood and became a freelance photographer for magazines like Life, capturing intimate moments of stars such as Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Frank Sinatra. Stern's style emphasized naturalness and emotional depth, earning him the nickname 'the invisible man of Hollywood.' His career spanned over seven decades, and his works are held in collections including the Museum of Modern Art.
