Melania Trump's Documentary Director Appeared in Epstein Files: 5 Photos of Brett Ratner and Quick Facts About Him

Brett Ratner, director of the new $40 million (£28.9 million) documentary Melania about US First Lady Melania Trump, is making headlines for more than just his latest film.

The Rush Hour director's name appeared on the Epstein files with Jeffrey Epstein's inner circle, specifically through his association with French modelling scout Jean-Luc Brunel. From the details in the Epstein files to his career trajectory, here are quick facts and photos of Ratner and his status in Hollywood.

Quick Facts About Brett Ratner

Brett Ratner is a 56-year-old American film director and producer born on 28 March 1969 in Miami Beach, Florida.

He began his career directing music videos for artists such as Public Enemy and Mariah Carey, before transitioning to feature films, making his directorial debut at 28 with the action-comedy hit Money Talks.

He is best known for directing the successful Rush Hour action-comedy franchise, as well as major studio blockbusters like X-Men: The Last Stand.

Ratner also co-founded RatPac Entertainment, a production and financing company that has been involved in numerous blockbuster movies. Currently, he is returning to the spotlight with his direction of the 2026 documentary Melania.

Ratner's Name Surfaces in Epstein Files

In December 2025, Ratner's photo and name appeared in documents released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The photo, which does not include a date or location, shows Ratner alongside Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modelling agent and longtime associate of Epstein. Brunel died by suicide in a French prison in 2022 while facing rape charges and allegations of supplying Epstein with minors.

As Amazon MGM Studios prepares for the 30th January release of the US First Lady documentary, Melania, the photo of Ratner included in the Epstein files has gained significant attention and circulated widely online.

In the photo, Ratner is seen hugging Brunel around the waist, while the French modelling agent is topless, both smiling broadly at the camera. Authorities emphasised that appearing in the files does not indicate criminal wrongdoing or the existence of formal allegations against the individual, but typically signifies a social or professional connection to Epstein's circle.

Melania: A Controversial Comeback

Ratner's documentary Melania is billed as an authorised 'fly-on-the-wall' look at Melania Trump during the 20 days leading up to Donald Trump's second presidential inauguration in January 2025.

This marks Ratner's first project since the rape allegations made at the height of the Me Too movement that halted his career. In November 2017, six women—including actresses Olivia Munn and Natasha Henstridge—accused Ratner of sexual harassment and misconduct.

Allegations and Denials

Munn alleged Ratner masturbated in front of her on the set of After the Sunset in 2004 and made explicit comments about her, including saying in 2011 that he had 'banged her a few times,' which he later retracted.

Meanwhile, Henstridge claimed Ratner 'physically forced himself on me' in the early 1990s, when she was 19, accusing him of forcing her to perform oral sex.

Other women, including Jaime Ray Newman and Katharine Towne, accused him of making sexual advances, with Newman alleging Ratner described 'sex acts he wanted to perform on her' while sitting next to her on a plane.

Towne claimed he followed her into a bathroom at a party in 2005 and made advances. Former talent agency employee Melanie Kohler accused him of rape, which Ratner called 'deliberately false and malicious.'

Ratner has consistently denied all claims, stating he 'vehemently disputes' Munn's allegations. No criminal charges were filed, though major studios like Warner Bros. severed ties with him.