John McClain, Michael Jackson Estate Co-Executor, Dead at 71

Published May 26, 2026 8:40 PM PDT | Updated May 27, 2026 7:30 AM PDT

5/27/2026 7:26 AM PT -- John Branca, the Co-Executor of the Michael Jackson estate tells TMZ ... “I am profoundly grieved at the loss of my partner and ‘brother’ John McClain. One of the great innovators in the world of music and music marketing, John was a visionary, seeing past the mundane and into the future."

He added, "When we were named in Michael’s will, I knew that he would bring great insight into Michael’s music and that his friendship and dedication to Michael would underscore all the great projects that we could bring to the world. He brought a passion and sense of conviction to all that he did and was the most generous of friends. It is difficult to imagine a world without him."

John McClain, the co-executor of Michael Jackson's estate and a veteran music executive and producer, has died ... TMZ has learned.

A rep for McClain tells TMZ ... John died Tuesday. Sources with direct knowledge tell us he had been sick for several years, though it's not yet clear whether that illness contributed to his death. We're told he passed in Malibu.

In addition to his role as co-executor of the MJ estate -- along with John Branca -- McClain produced hits for Michael, Janet Jackson, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre.

He was also an A&R executive at A&M Records who oversaw Janet's breakthrough album, "Control," and urged the label to sign new acts like Mark Wahlberg's Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch.

McClain and Branca were appointed co-executors of the MJ estate in 2009, after Michael's death. They not only got the estate out from under Michael's heavy debt, but turned it into a massively lucrative empire, reportedly worth billions of dollars.

They spearheaded the "Michael" biopic, the Broadway musical, a Cirque du Soleil production, and the film, "This Is It" ... about Michael's preparation for his final ill-fated tour.

McClain personally had a hand in the production of Michael's posthumous hits like "Love Never Felt So Good" and "Much Too Soon."

McClain was 71.