Brett Ratner Appears in Newly Released Epstein Files

Brett Ratner (born March 28, 1969) is an American film director and producer known for commercial films such as the Rush Hour franchise and for directing the documentary Melania: 20 Days to History. In early February 2026, images from newly released files connected to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein became public, showing Ratner seated next to Epstein alongside two unidentified women. The identities of the women in the images were redacted in the released materials.

The images were part of a larger release of documents, photographs, and records made public under U.S. legal disclosure processes related to Epstein’s activities and social network. In the circulated photograph, Ratner is shown sitting on a couch with Epstein, with his arm around one woman while another woman is seated nearby. The images have been widely shared online following their release.

In public statements made shortly after the release, Ratner said the photograph was taken approximately 20 years earlier at a social event and stated that the woman next to him was his then-fiancée. He said he was invited to the event by her and denied having a personal or ongoing relationship with Epstein. Ratner stated that the image did not reflect a close association.

Ratner has previously faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct that emerged publicly in 2017. He denied the allegations at the time. Following those allegations, several studios and partners distanced themselves from him, and his involvement in major Hollywood productions significantly declined.

Jeffrey Epstein died in federal custody in August 2019 while awaiting trial on charges related to sex trafficking of minors. The 2026 release of Epstein-related materials included records naming or depicting numerous public figures. Inclusion in the files does not constitute an accusation or evidence of criminal conduct.

Since 2015, Brett Ratner has not directed a narrative feature film for a major studio. His last theatrical feature release was Hercules in 2014, followed by limited or non-fiction projects. His absence from feature film directing since that period has been widely noted in coverage of his career.