Who's Who in Michael Jackson's Bizarre World
Inside 30 of Michael Jackson's circle, from Debbie Rowe to Bubbles the chimp.
July 2, 2009 -- Confused by the cast of characters surrounding Michael Jackson, the self-proclaimed "King of Pop" who died June 25 at the age of 50?
As details surrounding Jackson's death emerge, his web of family, friends and associates keeps growing, with names new and old coming out of the woodwork claiming a connection with the pop icon.
Below, a look at 30 people and one primate who played a part in Jackson's life and continue to do so after his death:
CLICK HERE for full coverage of Michael Jackson's life and death at our special section.
Katherine Jackson, Michael Jackson's Mother
Jackson family matriarch Katherine Jackson, 79, has been granted temporary guardianship of the pop star's three children. She also presides over the family's Encino, Calif., mansion, called Hayvenhurst.
Joe Jackson, Michael Jackson's Father
The hard-driving 79-year-old patriarch drove Michael and the rest of his boys to success by starting the Jackson 5, but in recent years, has spent time peddling schemes to replenish his bank account. At a recent press conference, he plugged his record company before talking about the family's plans for Michael's funeral.
Debbie Rowe, Michael Jackson's Second Ex-Wife
Debbie Rowe, 50, married Michael in 1996 after meeting him while working as a nurse in the offices of his dermatologist, Dr. Arnie Klein. She reportedly conceived Prince Michael I and Paris Michael Katherine via IVF, although new reports claim that she's not actually the biological mother of the children. In a 2008 interview with Britain's Daily Mail, Rowe said Jackson divorced her in 1999 after he discovered she couldn't conceive more children. Rowe reportedly signed away her parental rights to the children after she and Michael divorced in 1999, but in 2006, an appeals court reestablished her parental status, meaning she may be able to make a case for regaining custody of the children should she choose to.
Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson's Sister
The only sibling who never had to rely on Michael for money, Janet, 43, shared the spotlight with the "King of Pop" as a fellow music icon, having sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. There are reports that she may fill in for some of his scheduled concerts at London's O2 arena.
Jackie Jackson, Michael Jackson's Brother
The second child in the Jackson family, Jackie, 58, served as the high tenor backup singer in the Jackson 5. He currently lives in California and runs a record company, Jesco.
Marlon Jackson, Michael Jackson's Brother
Marlon, 52, was known as one of the best dancers in the Jackson 5. But his career in the entertainment industry didn't last, and he later became a real estate agent in California. Marlon is the only Jackson brother to avoid divorce -- he and his wife Carol Parker have been married for more than 30 years.
LaToya Jackson, Michael Jackson's Sister
Considered the family traitor for declaring Michael guilty during his 1993 child molestation case, La Toya, 53, has little contact with her siblings today (though she was one of the first to appear at the UCLA Medical Center the day Michael died). After failing to hit it big as a solo artist, La Toya embarked on a modeling career in the 1980s that landed her multiple Playboy photo spreads. Her latest stint in the spotlight was supposed to be a cameo in Sacha Baron Cohen's "Bruno," but filmmakers cut her reportedly less-than-flattering scene out of respect for Michael's family following his death.
Randy Jackson, Michael Jackson's Brother
The youngest Jackson brother, Randy, 47, earned the nickname "Little Randy" when he joined the family band in 1976, after they changed their name from The Jackson 5 to The Jacksons. At age 16, he wrote The Jacksons' most successful single on Epic Records, "Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground)." He fell on financial troubles later in life -- in May 2008, the New York Post reported he's doing odd jobs like fixing cars to come up with cash. Asked about how the family is doing outside Michael's Bel Air home Tuesday, Randy told reporters, "We're making it."
Rebbie Jackson, Michael Jackson's Sister
After Michael and Janet, Maureen Reillette (nickname: Rebbie) is the most successful of the Jackson clan. The 59-year-old singer is also the oldest of the Jackson children and is most famous for her 1984 hit "Centipede."
Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson's Brother
Jermaine Jackson, 54, was the original lead singer of an early incarnation of The Jackson Five before Michael became a co-lead vocalist. He married Hazel Gordy, daughter of Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, in 1973 and had a string of solo hits in the '70s and '80s. Jermaine divorced Gordy in 1987, married and divorced another woman, and went on to marry Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza, the mother of two of Randy Jackson's children. They divorced in 2008. In recent years, Jermaine's made his name on TV, producing 1992's "The Jacksons: An American Dream," a miniseries about The Jackson 5 and starring in "Celebrity Big Brother UK" in 2007.
Tito Jackson, Michael Jackson's Brother
The only one of Michael's brothers still making music, Toriano Adaryll (nickname: Tito) works as a guitarist who fronting a blues and jazz band. In May 2008, the New York Post reported that his band plays at small venues and earns between $500 and $1,500 per gig. That's a far cry from his stadium days with the family band, when the Jacksons could draw a crowd of 50,000 at $30 a ticket.
Prince Michael I Jackson, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, Michael Jackson's Son, Daughter
Michael's eldest children, 12-year-old Prince Michael I and 11-year-old Paris Michael Katherine, are the product of his marriage with Debbie Rowe. While they're currently in the custody of Michael's mom, figuring out who gets to keep them is proving to be tricky. Rowe reportedly signed away her parental rights to the children after she and Michael divorced in 1999, but in 2006, an appeals court reestablished her parental status.
Prince Michael II (Blanket) Jackson, Michael Jackson's Son
Michael's youngest son is 7-year-old Prince Michael II, better known as Blanket. His biological mother has never been identified. Blanket's moment in the spotlight came in 2002, when Michael infamously dangled him from a fourth floor window in Berlin, leading critics to question his parental instincts.
Jermajesty Jackson, Michael Jackson's Nephew
With three sisters and five brothers, Michael leaves behind a slew of nieces and nephews. Most notable, if only for his name, may be 8-year-old Jermajesty Jackson, the fifth child born to Michael's older brother Jermaine. Jermaine gave his son the regal moniker after Michael named his oldest son Prince Michael, according to ABC sources.
Bubbles, Michael Jackson's Chimp
Bubbles joined the Jackson family when Michael adopted him in the early 1980s. In 2005, when Michael's ex-animal trainer stopped working with primates, Bubbles was sent to Florida's Center For Great Apes sanctuary. The sanctuary's owner told People magazine that Bubbles, healthy at 26-years-old, could easily live up to age 60, longer than the age reached by his former master.
Dr. Arnold Klein, Michael Jackson's Dermatologist
Dr. Arnold (Arnie) Klein served as Michael's dermatologist, and maybe more: Us Weekly claims that he's the real biological father of the pop star's children. Klein has declined to comment on the report, but there's no doubt he played a role in Michael's life. According to TMZ.com, Michael made multiple trips to Klein's office in recent months, possibly for prescription drugs. Debbie Rowe, the mother of Michael's eldest children, also used to work for Klein.
Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's Personal Doctor
Dr. Conrad Murray was Michael's personal physician and was called to the singer's house the night before he died. Murray's attorney, Edward Chernoff, denies claims that the doctor injected Michael with Demerol hours before his death. He told "Good Morning America" that Murray found Jackson unconscious in his bedroom last Thursday, detected a weak pulse in his femoral artery, and began CPR. "Dr. Murray has never prescribed nor administered Demerol to Michael Jackson," Chernoff added. "Not ever. Not that day. ... Not Oxycontin (either) for that matter."
Frank DiLeo, Michael Jackson's Former Manager
Frank Dileo began working with Michael at Epic Records in the 1980s. In 1984, after the smash success of "Thriller," Michael asked DiLeo to become his manager. He executive produced a number of music videos and other projects for Michael, including three Pepsi commercials. DiLeo also managed Michael's Bad World Tour, the largest-grossing tour of all time. The two officially parted ways in 1989 but worked on and off afterwards, with DiLeo helping organize Michael's comeback series of concerts.
Cherilyn Lee, Michael Jackson's Nurse
Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse who attended to Michael, claims the pop star used to beg her for drugs. Lee told "Good Morning America" that she warned him about injecting the drug Diprivan, saying, "This is not a safe medicine, please don't take this." Lee said Jackson often complained of not being able to sleep more than a few hours at a time and he would often watch Donald Duck cartoons in bed, trying to sleep.
Tom Snedden, District Attorney in Michael Jackson's 2005 Trial
Santa Barbara District Attorney Tom Sneddon filed child molestation charges against Michael in 2003. In December of that year, he announced the pop star was charged with nine counts -- seven of child molestation and two of administering an intoxicating agent for the purpose of a committing a felony.
Uri Geller, Michael Jackson's Magician Friend
Illusionist and purported psychic Uri Geller became friends with Michael after performing his signature spoon trick for the pop star. Michael served as best man at the renewal of Geller's wedding vows in 2001. But the two had a falling out after Geller introduced him to current ABC News correspondent Martin Bashir in 2002, who went on to film the controversial documentary "Living With Michael Jackson." In a June 26 interview with Britain's Channel 4 News, Geller admitted he hypnotized the late pop star to question him about the allegations that he molested children, which Michael denied.
Brian Oxman, Jackson Family Attorney/Spokesman
Brian Oxman has served as an attorney and spokesman for various members of the Jackson family since 1989. Speaking out after Michael's death on "Good Morning America," Oxman said "Drugs had been part of Jackson's life since the 1980's" and added he warned family members that "if Jackson dies of overmedication I will not hold my tongue."
Lisa Marie Presley, Michael Jackson's First Ex-Wife
Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley, was married to Michael from 1994 to 1996. The day after his death, she revealed on her MySpace blog that the pop icon shared his fears about his demise. Michael saw parallels between himself and the "King of Rock," according to Lisa Marie, and talked about them during a conversation they had about her father. "At some point he paused, he stared at me very intensely and he stated with an almost calm certainty, 'I am afraid that I am going to end up like him, the way he did,' " Presley wrote on her blog.
Liza Minnelli, Michael Jackson's Friend and Fellow Icon
Liza Minnelli, who has Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy awards to her name, was one of Michael's closest friends in the entertainment industry. A day after Michael's death, Minnelli told CBS's "The Early Show" that she believes his autopsy results will cause a frenzy. "All of us who knew him well really know what he was like," she said. "And I'm sure that now the accolades are going, and I'm sure when the autopsy comes, all hell's going to break loose. So, thank God we're celebrating him now."
Diana Ross, Michael Jackson's Friend, Fellow Icon and Potential Mother to His Children
Soul legend Diana Ross could inherit Michael's children. In his will, Michael specified that if his mother died before he did, Ross would gain custody of Prince Michael I, Paris Michael Katherine and Prince Michael II. Ross has yet to comment on the will. Following Michael's death, she released a statement saying, "I can't stop crying, this is too sudden and shocking. I am unable to imagine this. My heart is hurting. I am in prayer for his kids and the family."
Nona Paris Lola Jackson, Woman Who Claims to Be the Mother of Michael Jackson's Children
She looks nothing like them, but Nona Paris Lola Jackson claims to be the real mother of Michael's kids. On her blog, the London-based Nona Paris Lola claims that her name is "Princess Zaynab bint Fahd bin Khalid al-Saud" and her father "is popularly known as Satan the Devil." Wednesday, she filed a 93-page court document in Los Angeles County Superior Court. All of her previous court claims regarding Michael's children have been denied.
Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson's Friend and Fellow Icon
Though she was initially "too devastated" to talk to the press about Michael's passing, Dame Elizabeth Taylor released a statement the day after his death mourning the loss of her friend, who she supported through his child molestation trials and tribulations. "My heart ... my mind ... are broken. I loved Michael with all my soul and I can't imagine life without him. We had so much in common and we had such loving fun together," she said. "He will live in my heart forever but it's not enough. My life feels so empty."
The Reverend Al Sharpton, Michael Jackson Advocate
The Reverend Al Sharpton rushed to praise Michael following his death. June 30, at a public memorial service celebrating Michael's life and music at Harlem's Apollo Theater, Sharpton told fans, "Michael made young men and women all over the world imitate us." He later attempted to imitate the man who made the moonwalk famous by getting down on the dance floor.
Jesse Jackson, Jackson Family Advisor
Like Sharpton, Jesse Jackson raced to comment on Michael and the Jackson family after his passing. June 27, he told media outlets that "the family has questions" regarding the circumstances of Michael's death and wanted a second autopsy. Jesse Jackson may be in the running to lead Michael's funeral. He's presided over the funerals of famous black figures including the jazz great Miles Davis and the slain family of singer and actress Jennifer Hudson.
Frank Cascio, Michael Jackson's Confident
Frank Cascio was a friend of Michael's for 25 years and also an unindicted co-conspirator in his 2005 trial. He released a statement to ABCNews.com July 2: "To me, Michael was more than a superstar entertainer: he was a brother, a father figure and probably the most loving person I have ever met," Cascio said. "With all that has been written and said about Michael, what has been missing are his countless acts of anonymous kindness that I witnessed to those in the most desperate situations. ... Michael, we love you. You are the true Peter Pan."