Michael Jackson Dies at Age 50
Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26 p.m. PDT (9:26 p.m. EDT) after arriving at a Los Angeles hospital in full cardiac arrest, said Fred Corral of the Los Angeles County Coroner's office. The cause of death was not known and an autopsy would likely take place on Friday, he said.
Jackson was taken ill at home and his personal physician tried to resuscitate him but could not, his brother Jermaine told reporters. He was taken by paramedics to the hospital, where doctors worked for more than an hour to try to revive him before pronouncing him dead, the brother said.
Late Thursday, his body was flown by helicopter from the hospital to the coroner's office.
The self-styled "King of Pop," whose hits included "Thriller" and "Billie Jean," leaves behind a mountain of debt and an unfulfilled series of comeback concerts set for London in July. Many hoped the shows would rake in millions and erase his financial troubles.
Jackson's dramatic, one-gloved stage presence and innovative dance moves were imitated by legions of fans around the world who mourned his death.
His lifetime record sales tally was believed to be around 750 million. With his 13 Grammy Awards and boundary-breaking music videos he was one of the most successful entertainers of all time.
But Jackson's belief that "I am Peter Pan in my heart," his preference for the company of children, his friendship with a chimp, his high-pitched voice and numerous plastic surgeries also earned him critics and the nickname "Wacko Jacko."
Jackson led a reclusive life after his acquittal in 2005 on charges of child molestation, the second time he had faced ultimately unproved allegations of abuse of young boys.
"I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news," said Quincy Jones, who helped arrange the music on the album "Thriller" and produced the "Off the Wall" album, said in a statement.
Celebrity tributes poured in for the singer who was one of the first black entertainers of the MTV generation to gain a big crossover following.
Pop star Madonna said: "I can't stop crying over the sad news ... I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats but his music will live on forever."
JACKSON'S HEALTH A QUESTION
Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department's Robbery Homicide division searched Jackson's home in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, saying they had been directed to do so by Chief William Bratton because of the media frenzy.
Police called the investigation an "every day" event and said they were assigned due to the high profile nature of it.
But Jackson was plagued by ill health throughout his adult years leading to speculation about his condition when he died.
As Jackson grew older he appeared to lighten his skin to a pale white -- which he said was caused by the skin pigmentation condition vitiligo. Last year he was photographed in Las Vegas in a wheelchair for reasons that were never explained.
Yet, even as he seemed to be sick, Jackson planned the series of comeback concerts in London starting July 13 to help erase debts that the Wall Street Journal reported ran to $500 million, citing people familiar with Jackson's finances.
He had been rehearsing for the past two months, including Wednesday night at Los Angeles' huge Staples Center arena.
Brian Oxman, a spokesman for the Jackson family, told CNN that the family had been concerned about the pop star's health and had tried in vain to take care of him for months.
"Michael appeared at rehearsals a couple of times, he was very seriously trying to be able to do those rehearsals. His use of medications had gotten in the way, his injuries which he had sustained performing, where he had broken a vertebrae and he had broken his leg from a fall on the stage, were getting in the way," Oxman told CNN.
But the promoters of the London shows, AEG Live, said in March that Jackson had passed a 4-1/2 hour physical examination with independent doctors.
CHILD STAR TO MEGASTAR
Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, the seventh of nine children. Five Jackson boys -- Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael -- first performed together at a talent show when Michael was 6. They walked off with first prize and went on to become a best-selling band, The Jackson Five, and then The Jackson 5.
Jackson made his first solo album in 1972, and released "Thriller" in 1982, which became a smash hit that yielded seven top-10 singles. The album sold 21 million copies in the United States and at least 27 million worldwide.
The next year, he unveiled his signature "moonwalk" dance move, gliding across the stage and setting off an instant trend, while performing "Billie Jean" during an NBC special.
But his personal life was troubled.
In 1993, Jackson was accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy, but no charges were filed against him and the matter was settled out of court in 1994 with the boy's family.
The same year, Jackson announced he had become addicted to painkillers and abruptly canceled a world tour to promote his album, "Dangerous."
In 1994, Jackson married Elvis Presley's only child, Lisa Marie, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1996.
"I'm so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. ... This is such a massive loss on so many levels, words fail me," Presley said in statement.
Jackson married Debbie Rowe the same year and had two children, before splitting in 1999, and he later had another child with an unidentified surrogate mother.
He is survived by three children named Prince Michael I, Paris Michael and Prince Michael II, known for his brief public appearance when his father held him over the railing of a hotel balcony, causing widespread criticism.
Dozens of fans gathered near Jackson's modest boyhood home in Gary, to pay their respects to the entertainer who left the city long ago. Some deposited flowers or toys and others blared his hit songs from their car stereos.
In Los Angeles, fans waited outside the hospital, the coroner's office, and in New York, people gathered at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, singing Jackson hits and dancing in celebratory tribute.
Comments (163)
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sneggers29435
Aw Man
3 years agoby @sneggers29435Flag
sneggers294
I will miss you "Captain Eo"
3 years agoby @sneggers294Flag
Remy72883
I cannot deny the man's talent and amazing stage presence my favorite song by him, say what you want is " Will you be their" his gift was well beyond his years and his passion was undenyable. And May He Rest In Peace. May his legend live on to bless future generations
3 years agoby @remy72883Flag
Velvet
me too.
3 years agoby @velvetvirusFlag
slysnide
Still waitin' on the killer and motives behind the murders.
3 years agoby @slysnideFlag
Newkill3000
Steve McNair, Air McNair. Another poor soul taken. At 36.
3 years agoby @newkill200Flag
Newkill3000
Hey, I'm not gay. Keep that duct tape away from me. Go play with your father or somethin.
3 years agoby @newkill200Flag
Velvet
i agree with johnny too. hey newkill i'm already visualizing the duct tape thats gonna be over your mouth.. we're all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
3 years agoby @velvetvirusFlag
SlysnideII: Angel Eyes
i totally agree Johnny Blaze.
3 years agoby @slysnideiiFlag
Newkill3000
Jackson is no where near Carrot top's fame.
3 years agoby @newkill200Flag
The First Avenger: JohnnyBlaze
this sucks, Jackson, Fawcitt, Carlin, an Mac all dead. yet assheads like Carrot top, Paris Hilton and Asley Simpson all still alive annoying the S*** out of us. WTF? theres no justice in the world.
3 years agoby @johnnyblazetb82Flag
Newkill3000
Nobody's doing that sh*t. F*ck you.
3 years agoby @newkill200Flag
BigTJ
EVERYBODY go to the website Petitionspot and search Captain EO. Sign the petition to get Captain EO back at Disneyland!!! It was a 3-D/4-D movie starrin Michael Jackson...directed by Francis Ford Coppola...scored by James Horner...produced by Steven Spielburg!!!
3 years agoby @bigtjFlag
Newkill3000
The magic number is 50.
3 years agoby @newkill200Flag
Newkill3000
No, i don't boot people off the site. My partner does that.
3 years agoby @newkill200Flag
slysnide
wtf? i was making a joking point. we all here need some of these comments to sp*ce up the comment section. and if you owned the site, then i'm sure youd've booted many from it by now.
3 years agoby @slysnideFlag
Newkill3000
Cancelled, lol, that's a good one. I own this site. I love movies. So, show some respect, bitch.
3 years agoby @newkill200Flag
SlysnideII: Angel Eyes
ya newkill hates everybody. so what? What's your next excuse, that Swayze is gonna die cuz his show got cancelled??? lolz. it's pathetic that your not being sarcastic, though i suppose that adds to your overall unwaranted hatred of everyone in the business. So wait,...why do use the site again?
3 years agoby @slysnideiiFlag
Newkill3000
I agree with predator. Shia Labouf might kill himself this year. So expect an oscar nom for him.
3 years agoby @newkill200Flag
T.Clark
Swayze's a fighter like Farrah, but he's not looking so well. As much as we hate Newkill because he's a heartless motherf*cker, he's right that Swayze doesn't have much time left.
"What the hell is going on....??? " We were saying the same thing last year...Heath Ledger, Tim Russert, George Carlin, Bernie Mac...
3 years agoby @insertusernamehereFlag
Messenger
Wow newkill, never thought you could be that goddamn heartless.
3 years agoby @messengerFlag
Newkill3000
Billy Mays was sniffin that Oxy sh*t. Farrah Fawcett actually became an angel. Ed Mcmahon kept givin away those damn publishing house checks and never decided to help himself out, so croaked. Carradine took f*ck yourself to a whole notha level. And Jackson had a heart attack because the ranch where he f*cked all the kids at closed down. I'm gonna take a guess at the next death here and say Patrick Swayze dies in August.
3 years agoby @newkill200Flag
Velvet
i know!!! David Carradine, Ed Mcmahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, then Billy Mays!
What the hell is going on....???
3 years agoby @velvetvirusFlag
slysnide
David Carradine on June 3rd; Ed McMahon on June 23rd; Farrah Fawcett & Michael Jackson on June 25th; and now...
Billy Mays!! The Infomercial King who sells cleansing products with that EXTREMELY annoying booming voice on every damn channel is DEAD TODAY A MONTH BEFORE HIS 51ST B-DAY!!
3 years agoby @slysnideFlag
J.A.Ottley.Writer / Director
Ahhh i actually agree with you Movie Mage, but you see here is the kind of major problem with an MJ Biopic.
How do you portray MJ?
Because you see as a screenwriter, i'm seeing this as the major problem within coming to write any on MJ, because i'm currently writing 2 projects based on MJ, this was before his passing, but yes indeed he is an iconic figure not only in music, but as a character, his soul, his music and he is now history and popular culture
You see because everyone has the same view on him, but he was shown in different light, as a news interviewer placed it. The are 3 versions to Jacko.
Jackson 5, Solo Jacko and then as you place the term 'Wacko Jacko.'
But you see when you do a biopic, you got to think, how do people want to remember this iconic figure?
This lost child star?
The biggest peadophilic case in the history of music?
The man that rose and fell by the hands of the media?
The iconic figure that his only signifiance can be compared to that of his father-in-law, Elvis Presley?
Or do you portray him as the most lonliest man on earth, that never had a true friend?
There are so many ways to portray MJ and it has to be done in the most sensitive way possible, while staying true and not offending any one that loves him.
Also how do you plausibly fit the MJ story into one film, while giving it justice?
And yes indeed he was a very gentle simpleton, kind to the heart, without no bad bone, a man so loved by his fans because he was so captivated by them, they were technically the only friends he had.
I'm glad though i had the chance to meet the guy 3 times, would have been nice to see him a 4th, but MJ's legacy will definately live on.
3 years agoby @chronicFlag
A-J
Terrible news couldent belive it when i found out R.I.P. michael jackson
3 years agoby @ajlewisFlag
slysnide
Thanks for the link JA, but he didn't confess to anything. Just that his father struck him over the back of the head with a 12.5 pound weight, attempted to choke him, and sprayed him in the face with mace (jackass father--i'd not be surprised if he made him lie, but his mother handled the whole MJ scandal, admitting to letting them sleep together unsupervised--seeing as a 35yr old MJ wouldn't really require it--plus he's the King of Pop, so why risk your career). That news story was published on 8/16/06.
Farrach Fawcett did have bragging rights to the most popular/best selling poster in the world. However, after quitting "Charlie's Angels" after one season in 1976, her career didn't really go anywhere from there. Only 2 films were mentioned where she was good, but they're not even popular. Though to have those bragging rights over the poster (considering how many good ones there are these days) IS a milestone! Especially for an actress with a short TV series, commercial, and film career.
And I almost forgot about Carradine, that makes 4 in a short time window being David Carradine (12/8/36-6/3/09), Ed McMahon (3/6/23-6/23/09), Farrah Fawcett (2/2/47-6/25/09), and Michael Jackson (8/29/58-6/25/09).
And 2 in a day happened last year too with Kermit Scott (10/18/36-5/26/08) and Sydney Pollack (7/1/34-5/26/08). Then 2 in a weekend a couple weeks later being Tim Russert (5/7/50-6/13/08) and Stan Winston (4/7/46-6/15/08).
3 years agoby @slysnideFlag
Phil Mata
His dramatic physical change is really just a quirk Movie Mage? The surgical skin procedure he got shortly after the the boy who alleged that Michael had sexually abused him said that he can describe what Jackson's genitals look like? Yeah, just a quirk.
3 years agoby @phil-mataFlag
MOVIE MAGE
Due to his contributions to the world of music and entertainment, I believe this man should be looked at in a positive light. I don't want to point fingers or name names, but J.A., you might wanna try seeing the positive side of people. It really helps in this life. You don't have to spin his setbacks out of proportion like a member of the media.
His past tribulations mean nothing now. What is prevalent now, today, and always, is that we have lost a dear musician, and even more so, a friend few knew they had.
Sure he had his quirks, most notably the change in his physical appearance over the years, but what entertainer/celebrity, and especially musician, doesn't have quirks? Lest we forget that Michael Jackson did have his share of demons.
If you listen to him and see him on tv, he seems like a very kind and gentle soul without a bad bone in his body. In fact, dare I say, I'd call him a sweet simpleton who gave this world so much light and goodness.
All he asked in return was a little bit of love, and it would be a shame to eclipse his legacy with his moments of darkness. What person deserves an unflattering nickname that people love to speak such as "Wacko Jacko?"
Anyone remember the song he made for Free Willy? That was one of his lesser known songs, but it was a symphony for the soul, nonetheless. I remember rewinding that part and listening to it over and over again when I was young, watching those orcas swim, it was pure magic. And that was not even one of his better known contributions to music.
Seeing as how this is Movieweb, I do think this great man is deserving of a biopic.
3 years agoby @moviemageFlag
J.A.Ottley.Writer / Director
Let me find the link, it was on Fox News.
It may even still be in the headlines, on their site. The video was actually removed with him confessing, now its just an article
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,209470,00.html
Ok my final piece, i gather that yes, Fawcett's death has been overshadowed by MJ's and yes MJ was a powerful entertainer, and entrepreneur, and at last but not least said a creative genius of unique talent from the age 9. MJ is the definition of music just like Elvis was and they both Kings in the public eye and within culture, everyone grew up listening to them, you can be a hard nut and say nah, when i was little i rocked to Metallica, Iron Maiden, Slipnot, but one thing you can't deny, is that you never danced or sung a MJ song, weather it was in the shower, in your bedroom or even in your living room dancing in front of the TV set while the video played on MTV
God i remember the Jackson 5 animated series.
Despite that Music will never be the same again, we will probably all remember the school days were we probably ran home to watch Charlie's Angels because of how hot Farah Fawcett was...2 legends were lost that day, Music will never be the same without MJ and neither will Charlie's Angels without the gorgeous Farah Fawcett.
3 years agoby @chronicFlag