Reports: Michael Jackson has died
Entertainer Michael Jackson has died after being taken to a hospital on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, according to multiple reports including the Los Angeles Times and the Associated Press. CNN has not confirmed his death.

From CNN:
Sources: Jackson in coma after cardiac arrest
Entertainer Michael Jackson is in a coma after being taken to a hospital on Thursday after suffering cardiac arrest, sources briefed on the situation told CNN. Paramedics needed to revive Jackson before taking him to the hospital, sources said. Brian Oxman, a Jackson family attorney, said he was told by brother Randy Jackson that Michael Jackson collapsed at his home in west Los Angeles Thursday morning.

From FOX
Michael Jackson Rushed to Los Angeles Hospital in Possible Cardiac Arrest

Michael Jackson was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital Thursday afternoon, police told FOX News, but his condition wasn't immediately clear.

According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, the legendary singer, 50, died Thursday afternoon. FOXNews.com has not confirmed this information.

On Thursday afternoon, multiple reports claimed that shortly after noon Thursday, Jackson went into cardiac arrest and had to receive CPR in the ambulance. Joe Jackson, his father, told multiple news sources that his son is not doing well.

Paramedics responded to a 911 call at around 12:26 p.m. PDT, the Los Angeles Times reported. He was reportedly not breathing at the time of their arrival.

A Jackson spokesman was unavailable for comment.

Jackson was born in Indiana in 1958. He rose to fame as part of the successful pop group The Jackson Five, formed with his brothers in 1967. The group went on to earn four number one hits in 1970 alone, and the 12-year-old Jackson became the undeniable breakout star of the group.

In 1972, Jackson enjoyed his first solo hit with the song “Ben.” Six years later, he made his film debut in “The Wiz,” where he renewed his friendship with producer Quincy Jones.

Collaborating with Jones, Jackson went on to become remarkably successful with his solo efforts “Off The Wall” in 1979 and “Thriller” in 1982.

From there, Jackson went on to become the undeniable “King of Pop,” winning seven Grammy awards for “Thriller” alone.

During the 1980s, he became an icon with a distinct style of fashion and performing as well, wearing one sparkling glove, bejeweled military clothing and short pants with socks.

It was around this time that Jackson began experimenting with excessive cosmetic surgery, including lightening of his skin.

After tabloids reported that Michael slept in a hyperbaric chamber in order to slow aging and that he had bought the skeleton of the Elephant Man (which he hadn’t), he was given the nickname "Wacko Jacko" by the media, which he hated.

Michael’s skin also started getting lighter and there were accusations that he was intentionally undergoing treatment to make himself whiter.

Soon Jackson reported to the media that he had a disorder called vitiligo, where pigment disappears from

It was at this time that Michael adopted his pet chimpanzee, Bubbles, and began to build a giant amusement park at Neverland Ranch, further fueling public perception of his eccentricity.

In 1992, Michael founded the "Heal the World Foundation," a charity that brought underprivileged children to Neverland Ranch where Michael would spend time with them and allow them to spend the night.

This practice raised many eyebrows, especially when Jackson was accused of molesting a 13-year-old boy who had become a regular Neverland guest. Jackson responded to the allegations publicly, maintaining his innocence. In 1994, he settled the case out of court for an undisclosed amount.

Jackson was briefly married the daughter of Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie. The union was publicly scrutinized and speculations arose as to whether the marriage was simply an attempt to improve Jackson’s image, though he maintained that they lived genuinely as man and wife; however, the marriage broke up after less than two years.

From there, his career never recovered, making headline after headline for strange and unusual behavior, including dangling his child over his head.

While Michael was on the set, the police raided Neverland Ranch issuing an arrest warrant for charges of child molestation by the same boy who appeared in Bashir’s documentary.

A trial took place in 2005, and Jackson was acquitted of all charges. After his acquittal, Michael relocated to the Gulf Island of Bahrain, where he has reportedly been spending his time writing new music.

In 2004, a man filed a lawsuit against Michael, alleging he had been molested 20 years earlier but had repressed the memory until 2003. However, a judge eventually dismissed the lawsuit.

Jackson was set to go on European tour of 50 concert dates this year, but he had not booked any dates. There were multiple reports that he was too sick to perform, but Jackson never confirmed the rumors.

Auto erotic asphyxiation. /nod

What is sad is this thread has more posts than the "Farrah Fawcett Dies at 62" thread.

Well duh, MJ dying is more entertaining than someone dying of butt cancer.

I'd start with children's homes.

TMZ is only site reporting he's dead that I've seen. Everyone reporting he had a heart attack. I was always an MJ fan as a kid, and remained one up until his last circus trial where he made it impossible for me to continue. But I'm still sad.

*nods* my stepbrother was a huuuuuuuuge fan when we were kids and I think he still listens to him now and again. I'm sure he'll be upset.

Old MJ was pretty damn cool. Amazing singer, amazing dancer/personality. The bizarre creature he'd become? Bleh.

Is it really appropriate to be so insulting toward two people who just died?

This is just like when Steve Irwin died. You guys are really something else; maybe one day people crack jokes when you die.

This is just like when Steve Irwin died. You guys are really something else; maybe one day people crack jokes when you die.

Why the fuck was Farrah Fawcett so famous in the first place?

anal