The Hollywood Archive - Celebrity, Entertainment and Historical Stock Photos

By Joseph Martinez -

Michael Jackson would have celebrated his 53rd birthday today, Aug. 29.

In honor of his birthday, his sister, La Toya Jackson, tweeted, ""HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL! I MISS YOU AND WE WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU! YOU'VE GIVEN SUCH AN EXTRAORDINARY GIFT TO THE WORLD! WE WILL CHERISH IT!"

"The King of Pop," died on June 25, 2009 from an overdose of propofol, which he used for a sleep aid, and cardiac arrest. His death sparked a worldwide period of mourning with an estimated one billion people tuning into his public memorial service.

Best known for his contributions in pop music and dance, along with a highly publicized, scrutinized life, Jackson has been named most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records.

Jackson debuted with his family in The Jackson 5 before embarking on a solo career. His 1982 album, "Thriller," is the best-selling album of all time.

He holds the most awards of any recording artist or entertainer, including the most number one singles in the U.S., more than a dozen Grammys and "Artist of the Century," to name a few.

A native of Gary, Indiana, members of his hometown community organized a memorial in front of the Jackson family's home on Jackson Street on Sunday. Hundreds of fans flocked to remember "The King of Pop."  Jackson's children, Paris, Prince and Blanket along with his parents, Joe and Katherine Jackson, attended the memorial activities on Aug. 28, according to the Associated Press.


Michael Jackson Trivia per IMDB:

• Macaulay Culkin is godfather to his two eldest children.
• Shares with Carlos Santana the record for most Grammys won in one year, with eight.
• First solo artist to generate four top ten hits on the Billboard charts on one album with "Off the Wall."
• First artist to generate seven top ten hits (USA) on one album with "Thriller."
• His 1982 album "Thriller" is the biggest selling album of all time, with confirmed sales of over 47 million, and over an estimated 100 million copies worldwide.
• Copied his moon walk after mime Marcel Marceau in "walk-against-the- wind" pantomime techniques.
• Was a Jehovah's Witness.
• Attended a memorial service for the late actor Marlon Brando in August 2004, along with Warren Beatty, Jack Nicholson and Sean Penn.
• Paid $1.5 million in 1999 for the Best Picture Oscar awarded to David O. Selznick for Gone with the Wind (1939).
• Owed an estimated $435 million in debts at the time of his death.
• At the time of his death Jackson was living in a rented mansion once owned by the actor Sir Sean Connery in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.
• An Amazon spokesperson said that the website sold out of all of his CDs, and those of the Jackson 5, within minutes of the news of his death breaking.

(Photo courtesy of The Hollywood Archive)