ROTTEN TOMATOES: Michael Jackson, King of Pop: 1958

Michael Jackson, King of Pop: 1958 - 2009

The pop culture icon died today in Los Angeles, reports confirm.

by Jen Yamato | June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson, internationally known as the "King of Pop," died today at the age of 50. Jackson, who got his start fronting the family band The Jackson 5 at the tender age of eight before enjoying one of the most successful entertainment careers in history, often fell under intense public scrutiny for his personal life but created some of the most popular albums of all time and remained a pop culture fascination through his final years. He also helped popularize the music video genre, made extensive charitable contributions, worked with some of Hollywood's leading directors, and acted in feature length films while leaving a lasting influence on modern dance, music, and culture. Jackson was 50.

Gossip website TMZ first broke the news that Michael Jackson had suffered fatal cardiac arrest in his Southern California home before being rushed to a hospital this afternoon, a report that was confirmed shortly thereafter by the Los Angeles Times. The "King of Pop" had been planning a huge career comeback, which would have seen Jackson perform 50 sold-out shows in London beginning in July. High School Musical director and choreographer Kenny Ortega had been working with Jackson to direct the tour.

As a child singer, Jackson fronted the musical group The Jackson 5 with brothers Marlon, Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine, topping the charts with singles like "I Want You Back" and "ABC." But those Motown roots were only the beginning of a five-decade recording career that marked Jackson as one of the most versatile artists in show business, as his sound morphed from R&B to funk to disco-pop to jazz and beyond.

In 1978, Jackson took on his first feature film role playing the Scarecrow in Sidney Lumet's The Wiz, an all African-American version of The Wizard of Oz. During production, Jackson made plans to work with the film's music arranger on his next solo album. That album -- produced by Quincy Jones -- was Jackson's multi-platinum selling Off the Wall, which propelled both Jones and Jackson to even greater fame, and led to their collaboration on Jackson's next two albums, Thriller (the best-selling album of all time) and Bad (which yielded five #1 singles).

His directors on the landmark music videos for both of those albums? None other than John Landis, whose 14-minute short film involved dancing zombies and helped make MTV an early success (and who later directed Jackson's "Black or White" video), and Martin Scorsese, who directed Jackson opposite a young Wesley Snipes in the 18-minute short film for Bad. Later, horror legends Mick Garris, Stephen King, and Stan Winston would team up on Jackson's long form music video Ghosts, in which Jackson played opposite himself as a reclusive outsider more comfortable around children than the judgmental town folk around him. Other notable directors that helmed some of Jackson's well-known music videos include John Singleton ("Remember the Time"), photographer Herb Ritts ("In the Closet"), and Mark Romanek ("Scream").

(In addition to his music video work, Jackson worked with Godfather director Francis Ford Coppola, producer George Lucas, composer James Horner and actress Anjelica Huston on the 3D film Captain EO, showcased as its own attraction in Disney theme parks all over the world.)

In 2002, Jackson returned to the big screen with a small part (playing essentially himself) as "Agent M" in the alien conspiracy sequel Men in Black II, a self-reflexive character type repeated in his last screen role in 2004's direct-to-DVD spoof film, Miss Cast Away.

Jackson's sudden death comes at a time when his career seemed on the verge of a comeback. In addition to his planned UK concert tour, Jackson is a featured subject of discussion in Universal's upcoming comedy-documentary, Bruno, in which the character Bruno (Sacha Baron Cohen) attempts to wrangle a Jackson interview by speaking on-camera with his sister, LaToya Jackson.

For a more detailed look at Michael Jackson's movie career, go to his celebrity page.

More on Michael Jackson from our friends around the web:

Michael Jackson Live Video Coverage

MyFoxLA.com Michael Jackson Local Coverage

MyFox Michael Jackson National Coverage

MyFox Michael Jackson Video Archive

Rotten Tomatoes: Michael Jackson, King of Pop: 1958 -- 2009

AskMen.com's Michael Jackson Profile

FoxNews.com on Michael Jackson

FoxBusiness.com on Michael Jackson

TimesOnline.com: Michael Jackson -- The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

BeliefNet.com on Michael Jackson

BeliefNet.com: Michael Jackson's Faith In His Own Words

WSJ.com:� Jackson Memorabilia Video Story

WSJ.com:� Jackson's Famous Red Jacket

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(1-20 of 194 posts) | Reply

ledawg writes:
on Jun 25 2009 05:38 PM

You skipped a major part of his life...I guess you want to remember him fondly, which is honorable. Well, I think he had a sad life. I don't hate him. I never did. I just pity him.

(Reply to this)

jocampo writes:
on Jun 25 2009 05:44 PM

rest in peace brother michael

(Reply to this)

JettaJameson writes:
on Jun 25 2009 05:51 PM

Another child abuser gone. Big whoop. The world is a better place without him. Maybe now his biological children have a chance at growing up somewhat normal. I won't waste one second mourning that "man."

(Reply to this)

De4ective Detectiv3 writes:
on Jun 25 2009 05:53 PM

Personally, I thought Michael Jackson the human being was quite deplorable. Sure he had a great musical legacy, but he also had a highly questionable relationship w/ little kids. Then what does he do to escape the allegations? Move to Bahrain? He might as well have moved to the child molestation capitol of the world, Thailand.

He was pretty concieted to, whether he was going behind Mccartney's back and buying the rights to his music or erecting statues of himself, I would hardly call him a role model.

And who dies of a heart attack at 50, can anyone say Cocaine overdose? I mean, there were all these rumors of his nose falling off on an airplane then he would always go around wearing those surgical masks, lets face it, he probably OD'd on some coke.

I geuss I'm just irritated by the fact that this is being posted on a film web site.

(Reply to this)

DanielthePhantasm XIX writes:
on Jun 25 2009 05:57 PM

the funny thing is nobody proved he did it
pretty sure he did drugs though

(Reply to this)

JettaJameson writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:01 PM

In reply to this comment (#2517348)
Nobody could prove he molested them. He admitted to sleeping in the bed with children. As far as I'm concerned, that's just as bad.

(Reply to this)

Mike B. writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:01 PM

If it weren't for MJ, I doubt I'd know who Weird Al was, so I will have to salute the man's life.

(Reply to this)

tomwaitsjr writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:06 PM

He died young. Remember all the health precautions he used to take? Wandering around constantly with a mask on his face, etc.

In the coming days we may find out if this all had to do with drug abuse and over-exertion.

I feel a sort of sense of relief that he's gone.

(Reply to this)

GST writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:08 PM

Honestly, I'm just... I don't know. I didn't like any of his music post 80s, and he was a complete and total freak (note that freak is all encompassing). Then again, he did have an enormous impact on popular culture, enough to where it deserves to be reported on a movie website. He acted in several films, his music has been a staple of movies for the past 30 years, and the butt of many jokes (in all media) for that long as well.

I don't feel the need to criticize him heavily now, nor do I feel the need to praise him much. He's dead, and... I guess that's it.

(Reply to this)

De4ective Detectiv3 writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:10 PM

Yeah, im pretty indifferent to him dying, its just wierd to see how alot of people are showering him w/ praise when he led such a questionable life towards the end.

(Reply to this)

GST writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:12 PM

In reply to this comment (#2517356)
I agree, on it all, even the sense of relief... its like a person who many people loved, but has been on life support and braindead for the past couple years, causing a burden on many people, and now that the plug's been pulled, its just like... "Ok".

(Reply to this)

De4ective Detectiv3 writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:13 PM

my condolences to his children Prince Michael Jackson,Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, and Prince Michael Jackson II (Blanket Jackson).

And I'm only 1/2 joking on this one.

(Reply to this)

Zed'sDead writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:14 PM

Are you guys really that bored to come online and bash someone that has died merely hours ago that left behind parents, siblings and children.

If you didn't like his art, then fine, criticise that. But if you're going to come online and SPECULATE about what occured in his personal life, and speak to it as if it's fact, you are pretty pathetic.

Although it's a twist on an old phrase: if you don't have anything nice to say, keep your f***ing mouth shut.

(Reply to this)

Dave J. writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:18 PM

You can't deny that he had some of the most popular and influential songs and dances of all time(namely thriller) and that is very seldom. yes, he is a gifted musician and that is all he should be known for despite his faults.

(Reply to this)

villain78 writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:26 PM

Word on the last two comments. Leave the guy alone. He's dead, and if you grew up with his music in the 80's he was, like it or not, part of your childhood.

Rest in peace, Michael.

(Reply to this)

rebranded001 writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:26 PM

NAMBLA is desperately scrambling for a new spokesperson as we speak.

Why the hell won't anyone mention what's going on with Jeff Goldblum, either?

(Reply to this)

crystalwhiteeyes writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:37 PM

SHAMOAN! He-He!

...first Ed McMahon, then Farrah Fawcett, and now Michael Jackson? What a week!

Tonight on The Tonight Show in heaven, Johnny Carson has Ed on the sofa with Farrah Fawcett and musical guest Michael Jackson.

(Reply to this)

Chris B. writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:40 PM

yeah you people have no right to judge him. if there's anything you should be criticizing, it should be his music and what not. but, even then, his music is some of the most influential music of all time so there's really nothing to criticize there either. so why don't you all just go to hell you judgemental pricks.

(Reply to this)

Don't Tase Me Bro writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:45 PM

I will Moonwalk down the sidewalk as an homage. Those allegations...they're going to follow his legacy...bummer.

I'm now wondering how long it will take for someone to start the conspiracy theory that Michael Jackson is indeed alive and in hiding and that a double has died in his stead. 3, 2, 1...

(Reply to this)

rebranded001 writes:
on Jun 25 2009 06:49 PM

I'm sure when they perform the autopsy they'll realize it was actually Latoya Jackson and not Michael.

(Reply to this)

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