Marty Callner dead at 78: Music video director who worked with Alicia Silverstone and Cher passes away
Famed music video director Marty Callner died at the age of 78 on March 17.
The director was best known for his Aerosmith music videos which starred Alicia Silverstone.
The blonde movie star played the teen heroine in three of the band's videos: Cryin', Amazing and Crazy.
Marty was also known for collaborating on clips with Cher (If I Could Turn Back Time) and Stevie Nicks (Stand Back).
He also helped make several songs massive hits with his slick videos: he directed Whitesnake's Here I Go Again, Cher's If I Could Turn Back Time, Poison's for Every Rose Has Its Thorn, Heart's Alone, Pat Benatar's We Belong and Twisted Sister's We're Not Gonna Take It.
'There are no rules in rock video,' Callner said. 'You can experiment and play with film and have a good time. You can get as weird as you want.'
Callner's family confirmed his death to Rolling Stone, adding that he died of natural causes at his home in Malibu.
Famed music video director Marty Callner died at the age of 78 on March 17
The director was best known for his Aerosmith music videos which starred Alicia Silverstone
Silverstone left a gushing tribute on Instagram.
'Marty was truly one of a kind. He had this incredible ability to make everyone around him feel deeply loved... unconditionally and effortlessly,' began the Clueless actress.
'An amazing father, devoted husband, loyal friend, and just an all-around cool guy, Marty had a genuine rock ‘n’ roll spirit and knew how to fully embrace life. It feels unreal to have lost him so soon.'
Alicia then explained that Marty saw the movie The Crush and asked her to be in the Aerosmith Cryin’ music video.
'I was 16 when we first met in his office, and he pinky-swore to me that day that we would be lifelong friends and he was right,' said the blonde.
'We would drive around talking about important things and go out to lunch. He invited me into his family where I got close to his beautiful wife Aleeza—the warmest, most loving woman—and all of their kids.
'He was there at my wedding; I was at his son Jazz’s bar mitzvah. We shared countless family days and holiday celebrations... always showing up for each other whenever we could.'
She then said that if there was an iconic rock music video you adored from the golden days of MTV chances are that Marty directed it.
The star played the teen heroine of three perfect videos: Cryin', Amazing and Crazy. Alicia with Liv Tyler in the Crazy
Silverstone seen in another music video from Callner
Here the actress was seen in a white tank top and cut-off denim Daisy Duke shorts
Silverstone left a gushing tribute on Instagram. 'Marty was truly one of a kind. He had this incredible ability to make everyone around him feel deeply loved... unconditionally and effortlessly,' began the Clueless actress
Marty also directed Cher's music video for If I Could Turn Back Time
'He poured heart, humor, and passion into every story he told, touching so many lives along the way,' added the movie star.
She then said that he was like a father to her.
'I realize now that while we were always family, Marty was like another dad to me, filling my life with the unconditional loving support and warmth I needed at a critical time. Watching his family speak so passionately at the funeral, we cried deeply and laughed fully, celebrating a beautiful soul who touched us all.'
Callner was known for casting hot women in his music videos.
'That's what I think rock & roll is all about,' Callner said in 1987. 'That's what kids relate to. Hopefully we're not gratuitous about it.
'I'm not really the Russ Meyer of rock videos. I don't want you to think it's sex for sex's sake—although it is and it isn't, if you know what I mean. It's not a lot of skin; it's all attitude.'
Callner got his start in TV news in Cincinnati before moving into the world of directing commercials and Boston Celtics games.
Callner was known for casting hot women in his music videos. 'That's what I think rock & roll is all about,' Callner said in 1987. 'That's what kids relate to. Hopefully we're not gratuitous about it.' Seen in 2012 in Thailand
HBO hired him to direct the first stand-up comedy special for the network, 1975's An Evening with Robert Klein.
'Nobody had ever really done standup on TV before,' Callner said later.
'I had come from directing Boston Celtics games, so I did it like it was a sporting event. It was crude, there weren't enough closeups, but it worked.'
He also worked with Billy Crystal, Robin Williams and Steve Martin.
Callner also helped introduce the world to Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Carrey and Billy Crystal.
In later years, Callner and his company, Cream Cheese Films, directed concert films for Nicks, Benatar, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Paul Simon, Garth Brooks, Fleetwood Mac and Diana Ross.
Callner was nominated for 12 Emmy Awards and two Grammys.
