He was the undisputed King of Pop, the man who transformed contemporary R&B and revolutionised the music video as we know it, turning a rudimentary promotional tool into a self-contained and critically acclaimed work of art.
Along the way he brought us Billie Jean, Beat It and Thriller, a leather-clad reinvention for the release of Bad – still one of the fastest selling albums of all time – and of course, Motown ’25 and the legendary Moonwalk.
Now, some 17-years after his death, Michael Jackson is remembered in a new biopic documenting his turbulent childhood, those vibrant early years with the Jackson 5 and his subsequent success as a solo artist.
Released in cinemas across the United States and United Kingdom from April 24, director Antoine Fuqua’s Michael – a subjective two hour celebration of the incredible highs that made Jackson a star – is one for die-hard fans, with Jermaine Jackson’s own son Jaafar starring as the fallen pop legend.
For the critically minded, however, it is a missed opportunity to address the unsavoury allegations of child abuse that followed Jackson across the last two decades of his life, until his untimely death at a rented Los Angeles mansion in 2009.
But what became of the family members, friends and business associates who feature in this somewhat sanitised rendering of Jackson’s colourful life and career?
Read on to find out.
Michael Jackson is remembered in a new biopic documenting his turbulent childhood, those vibrant early years with the Jackson 5 and his subsequent success as a solo artist (pictured: Jaafar Jackson as Michael)
1. JOE JACKSON
An imposing figure, Joe Jackson was instrumental in the global success of the Jackson 5 and would arguably play an indirect role in how Michael perceived himself as he entered adulthood
Clockwise from bottom left: Jackie Jackson, Tito Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson, Randy Jackson, and Joe Jackson (front) in 1970
No one impacted Jackson’s life quite like his father.
An imposing figure, Joe Jackson was instrumental in the global success of the Jackson 5 and would arguably play an indirect role in how the pop legend perceived himself as he entered adulthood, embarked on a solo career and began the physical metamorphosis that turned him into a social enigma.
Following the death of his son, Joe played an integral part in managing the Jackson estate and, in 2011, was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame.
Three years later, it was Joe who accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Jackson after the pop legend was inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame.
In his early 80s at the time of Jackson’s death, the former talent manager suffered declining health throughout his later years and was hospitalised after suffering a stroke and heart arrhythmia while celebrating his 87th birthday in Brazil.
He died in Las Vegas on June 22, 2018, following a battle with pancreatic cancer and is interred in the same cemetery as his son – Forest Lawn in Los Angeles.
2. KATHERINE JACKSON
The unwavering family matriarch, Katherine Jackson maintained a close relationship with her son throughout his turbulent life (pictured with Michael and Joen in 1973)
Now 95 years of age, Katherine lives in wealthy Californian enclave Calabasas with grandson TJ and his family
The unwavering family matriarch, Katherine maintained a close relationship with her son throughout his turbulent life.
Such was her importance that Jackson dedicated his iconic 1982 album Thriller to her, with younger sister Janet following suit upon the release of her groundbreaking Rhythm Nation 1814 in 1989.
Following Jackson’s death Katherine took guardianship of his three young children, Prince Michael, Paris and Bigi, then referred to as Blanket.
In 2012, Katherine’s guardianship was temporarily suspended after she failed to communicate with the children for more than a week – prompting fears that she was being prevented from fulfilling her duties as a legal guardian.
It would later transpire that she had been visiting a health spa in Arizona and was unable to contact her family.
Guardianship was subsequently returned to Katherine and her grandson, TJ Jackson, but she would pass the role to TJ on a full-time basis in 2017, citing her advanced years and the children growing into adulthood as primary reasons.
Now 95 years of age, Katherine lives in wealthy Californian enclave Calabasas with TJ and his family.
3. JERMAINE JACKSON
Jermaine Jackson also found fame with Jackson 5 in the early 1970, but his own solo career would fail to match the commercial highs of his younger brother
His first marriage, to Motown founder Berry Gordy’s daughter Hazel, ended in 1988, some 15 years after they exchanged vows (pictured in their wedding day in 1973)
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Jermaine also found fame with Jackson 5 in the early 1970, but his own solo career would fail to match the commercial highs of his younger brother.
He would be one of Jackson’s staunchest supporters in 2005, when the pop legend faced criminal prosecution in Santa Barbara for the alleged sexual abuse of 13-year old Gavin Arvizo, a former guest at his Neverland Ranch.
Four years later, it was Jermaine who confirmed his younger brother’s death during a hastily arranged press conference outside Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in California.
Along with brothers Tito, Randy and Marlon, he served as pallbearer at Jackson’s memorial at Los Angeles’ Staples Center on July 7 2009.
Jermaine converted to Islam in 1989 and has seven children from three marriages; his first, to Motown founder Berry Gordy’s daughter Hazel, ended in 1988, some 15 years after they exchanged vows.
In 2023, he was accused of a historic sexual assault dating back to the year of his divorce.
Filed by former music contractor Rita Barrett, the lawsuit alleges sexual assault, sexual battery, sexual abuse, rape, and negligence.
To date, Jermaine is yet to respond to the allegations.
4. TITO JACKSON
A prominent member of the Jackson 5, Tito was another outspoken supporter of his younger brother as he defended him against multiple sexual abuse allegations (pictured in 1975)
While Jackson enjoyed consistent success throughout the 1980s and ’90s, Tito embarked on his own solo career – predominantly as a blues guitarist – much later, in 2003 (pictured in 2024)
A prominent member of the Jackson 5, Tito was another outspoken supporter of his younger brother as he defended him against multiple sexual abuse allegations.
While Jackson enjoyed consistent success throughout the 1980s and ’90s, Tito embarked on his own solo career – predominantly as a blues guitarist – much later, in 2003.
His debut solo album, Tito Time, would be released in 2016, some seven years after the pop legend’s death.
A father to three sons from his first marriage to Delores “Dee Dee” Martes, Tito’s second marriage to Japanese videographer Mizuki Matsui was announced in 2020.
The couple welcomed daughter Tariana Katherine, their only child, in March that year.
Tragically, Tito suffered a fatal heart attack while transporting his brother’s vintage cars from their former home in California to Oklahoma in 2024. He was 70 years old.
He is buried close to his father and younger brother at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.
5. MARLON JACKSON
Marlon Jackson’s short solo career would start promisingly the 1988 release of a debut album, Baby Tonight – a number 22 hit on the US R&B Chart
Establishing himself as a successful realtor, Marlon helped launch religious network The Major Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) in 1999, eventually renaming it the Black Family Channel (L-R: Marlon Jackson and Jackie Jackson in 2026)
While not the most prominent member of the Jackson 5, Marlon provided backing vocals and percussion for many of the band’s greatest hits.
His short solo career would start promisingly the 1988 release of a debut album, Baby Tonight – a number 22 hit on the US R&B Chart, it was to be the only album released by Marlon before he turned his attention to pursuits away from showbusiness.
Establishing himself as a successful realtor, Marlon helped launch religious network The Major Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) in 1999, eventually renaming it the Black Family Channel.
The network was subsequently sold to the Gospel Music Channel.
As of 2015, Marlon fronts the Study Peace Foundation, with the aim of promoting peace and unity in global communities through programs created to help people live in peaceful environments.
6. JACKIE JACKSON
Born Sigmund Esco Jackson, Jackie began his solo career in 1973 while still an active member of the Jackson 5. But his career away from the band would be restricted to just two albums, the last of which – 1989 release Be The One – coming some 16 years after his self-titled debut
Jackie is pictured in 1984 after establishing a short lived solo career
Born Sigmund Esco Jackson, Jackie began his solo career in 1973 while still an active member of the Jackson 5.
But his career away from the band would be restricted to just two albums, the last of which – 1989 release Be The One – coming some 16 years after his self-titled debut.
Jackie would enjoy greater success away from the stage, with the 2002 launch of two record companies – Jesco Records and Futurist Entertainment.
A father of four from three marriages, the former singer was issued with a restraining order from first wife Enid Spann, who alleged he had been physically abusive following their divorce in 1986.
Jackie welcomed twin boys with his third wife, Emily Besselink, in 2013 – little more than a year after exchanging vows.
7. LA TOYA JACKSON
The fifth child and middle daughter of Katherine and Joe Jackson, La Toya’s career has pivoted away from the music industry since the release of her final album in 1995.
The fifth child and middle daughter of Katherine and Joe Jackson, La Toya’s career has pivoted away from the music industry since the release of her final album in 1995.
Until then, La Toya had enjoyed moderate success throughout the 1980s and ’90s, releasing a total of ten albums acros a 15 year period before her music career nosedived under the management of her then husband, Jack Gordon.
Originally hired as her co-manager, Gordon married La Toya in 1989, but the union would be blighted by allegations of physical abuse and controlling and coercive behaviour.
La Toya later claimed Gordon had full control over her public statements, among them respective allegations of child and sexual abuse levied at her father and brother Michael – read from a statement she claimed was scripted by her ex-husband during an Israeli press conference.
La Toya filed for divorce and officially ended her marriage to Gordon in 1997. She was issued with a permanent restraining order against her ex-husband, who passed away in 2005 following a battle with cancer.
Over recent years, La Toya has made numerous appearances on a range of popular reality TV shows, notably The Celebrity Apprentice, The Masked Singer, RuPaul’s Drag Race and her very own fly-on-the wall series, Life With La Toya.
8. QUINCY JONES
A pivotal figure in Michael Jackson’s professional life, Quincy Jones would produce the three albums that cemented his status as the undisputed King of Pop – Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad (pictured together in 1984)
Jones died of pancreatic cancer at his Beverly Hills home aged 91, in November 2024
A pivotal figure in Michael Jackson’s professional life, Quincy Jones would produce the three albums that cemented his status as the undisputed King of Pop – Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad.
Already a hugely successful jazz musician before establishing himself as a pioneering producer, Jones originally met Jackson in 1978 while they worked on The Wiz – a reimagining of The Wizard Of Oz featuring an all black cast.
But a productive working relationship that began with Jackson’s disco influenced Off The Wall in 1979, continued with the groundbreaking Thriller in 1982 and culminated in 1987 with the release Bad, ended in acrimony.
Disputes over royalties and producer and songwriting credits would continue long after the pop legend’s death, and Jones would eventually sue the Jackson estate over denied royalties and credits for his contributions to various posthumous productions, principally the 2009 documentary This Is It, and stage show Michael Jackson One, by Cirque du Soleil.
The producer was eventually awarded $9.4 million following a jury trial in 2017, but the amount was reduced on appeal.
Jones later died of pancreatic cancer at his Beverly Hills home aged 91, in November 2024.
9. BERRY GORDY
Berry Gordy signed the Jackson 5 in 1968 and was responsible for co-writing some of the group’s biggest hits – among them ABC, and I Want You Back (pictured in 2013)
The founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy signed the Jackson 5 in 1968 and was responsible for co-writing some of the group’s biggest hits.
Well versed in handling some of the music industry’s biggest artists, Gordy was acutely aware of Jackson’s precocious talent and endeavoured to nurture it as the singer and his brothers became stars.
Together with Freddie Perren, Alphonzo Mizell, and Deke Richards, Gordy would form The Corporation, a songwriting team charged with delivering a string of hits the Jackson 5.
And deliver they did, with The Corporation responsible for writing early hits such as I Want You Back, ABC, The Love You Save, Mama’s Pearl, Maybe Tomorrow and Lookin’ Through the Windows.
Following Jackson’s death in 2009, Gordy said he felt like he had ‘lost a part of my past and described him as “the greatest entertainer that ever lived”.
‘Michael Jackson was not an artist who comes along once in a decade, a generation, or a lifetime,’ he said. ‘He was an artist who comes along only once, period.’
10. JOHN BRANCA
A successful entertainment lawyer, John Branca served as Jackson’s attorney and was instrumental in overseeing his acquisition of The Beatles’ highly lucrative back catalogue
Since Jackson’s death, Branca has helped develop the posthumous This Is It documentary film, Broadway show MJ the Musical and two Cirque du Soleil productions
A successful entertainment lawyer, John Branca served as Jackson’s attorney and was instrumental in overseeing the singer’s acquisition of The Beatles’ highly lucrative back catalogue in 1985.
Since Jackson’s death, Branca has helped develop the posthumous This Is It documentary film, Broadway show MJ the Musical and Cirque du Soleil productions The Immortal and Michael Jackson ONE.
Working closely with the Jackson estate, he has also served to protect the deceased from defamation and acted as producer on forthcoming biopic Michael.
Away from his work with the Jackson family, Branca sits on the board of the Grammy Museum and the Board of Trustees at Occidental College, where he also serves as a member of the Advisory Council for the Barack Obama Scholars Program.
