The hotel’s frequent customers included famous artists from neighboring West Hollywood like Maxi of the Mary Jane Girls band, Grammy-winning pop singer and American Idol judge Paula Abdul, and Motown singer Lionel Richie.

“They liked me because I often invented new styles,” Liem said.

The stars’ pictures now comprise most of Liem’s 3,000-piece photo collection.

It also includes photos of “Terminator” star Arnold Schwarzenegger, “Rambo” star Sylvester Stallone, late Academy Award-winner Charlton Heston from “Ben Hur,” and Johnny Depp, star of “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy.

To obtain more photos, Liem would attend the funerals of deceased stars and ask their family for a signed picture of the late actor.

“It’s lucky that Americans are not so annoyed about that as Vietnamese people,” he said.

Liem even paid $2,000 once for the negatives of a film starring Oscar winner John Wayne.

He also purchased documents about 1960s and 70s star Steve McQueen for nearly $500.

While working at his antique shops, Liem also used his connections with customers to gain more items.

One of his frequent customers turned out to be the assistant of crooner Frank Sinatra. “I phoned him dozens of times afterward to ask him to bring me Sinatra’s photo,” said Liem.

In addition, several directors including Oliver Stone, rented out his shops and used some of his antiques in more than 20 movies, Liem said.

“Then it’s easier for me to ask for the artists’ photos,” he added.

Early this year, Liem decided he had enough collectibles to fill his museum and that it was finally the right time to return to Vietnam.

The collection now boasts over 40,000 costumes and 1,000 pairs of shoes once belonging to famous singers and Hollywood stars. There are costumes from the blockbuster hit “Titanic” as well as clothes worn by country singer and guitarist Glen Campbell.

Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Madonna memorabilia also feature prominently in Liem’s collection.

He has thousands of stamps as well, some dating back to the 1840s, and some of Elvis Presley at the height of his career.

The most special items in his collection, however, are late movie stars’ love letters, which Liem says he will reveal someday.

The assortment also includes mementos of Muhammad Ali “not only because he’s a great boxer but for his opposition to the Vietnam War,” Liem said.

He has even obtained historic documents about assassinated president John F. Kennedy and signed documents by presidents and vice presidents from the first 43 elections in the US.

These days, Liem is busy fixing up a house on District 1’s Bui Vien Street where he will finally realize his long-standing dream.

Liem’s Hollywood memorabilia museum is set to open on Sunday