Man In The Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story
Encyclopedia
Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story is a 2004 biographical telefilm produced for VH1
. The biopic stars Flex Alexander
as Michael Jackson
, and follows his rise to fame and subsequent controversial events. The film takes its title from one of Jackson's songs, "Man in the Mirror
".
The film originally aired on August 6, 2004 receiving, a TV rating of TV-PG for language. It is available on DVD
, where it is distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment and is rated PG-13 for some brief language and thematic elements by the MPAA.
) grew up in the spotlight as a member of the popular R&B combo the Jackson 5
, but his youthful success came with a price—robbed of a normal childhood, as he grew to be a man, Jackson found himself increasingly eager to remake his life into the childhood he never had.
In the 1980s, Jackson's solo career blew up, and his album Thriller
became the biggest selling album of all time, moving over 100 million copies and making him wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. As Jackson struggled to repeat its success, his public image and reputation became increasingly eccentric, and as allegations of drug abuse, excessive plastic surgery, and inappropriate behavior with children were thrown at him, Jackson found himself trapped between his desire to entertain his fans and proving to the world that he was a normal and law-abiding man.
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
. The biopic stars Flex Alexander
Flex Alexander
Mark Alexander Knox , better known as Flex Alexander or Flex, is an American actor, comedian and dancer.-Early life:Born in New York City in Harlem, Alexander is the son of Alethia Knox and Robert Whitehead....
as Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
, and follows his rise to fame and subsequent controversial events. The film takes its title from one of Jackson's songs, "Man in the Mirror
Man in the Mirror
"Man in the Mirror" is a song recorded by Michael Jackson and written and composed by Glen Ballard and Siedah Garrett. It peaked at number one in the United States when released as a single in January 1988 off his seventh solo album, Bad. It is one of Jackson's most critically acclaimed songs and...
".
The film originally aired on August 6, 2004 receiving, a TV rating of TV-PG for language. It is available on DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
, where it is distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment and is rated PG-13 for some brief language and thematic elements by the MPAA.
Plot
The often-controversial story of one of the world's most popular entertainers comes to life in this made-for-cable biographical drama. Michael Jackson (AlexanderFlex Alexander
Mark Alexander Knox , better known as Flex Alexander or Flex, is an American actor, comedian and dancer.-Early life:Born in New York City in Harlem, Alexander is the son of Alethia Knox and Robert Whitehead....
) grew up in the spotlight as a member of the popular R&B combo the Jackson 5
The Jackson 5
The Jackson 5 , later known as The Jacksons, were an American popular music family group from Gary, Indiana...
, but his youthful success came with a price—robbed of a normal childhood, as he grew to be a man, Jackson found himself increasingly eager to remake his life into the childhood he never had.
In the 1980s, Jackson's solo career blew up, and his album Thriller
Thriller (album)
Thriller is the sixth studio album by American recording artist Michael Jackson. It was released on November 30, 1982, by Epic Records as the follow-up to Jackson's critically and commercially successful 1979 album Off the Wall...
became the biggest selling album of all time, moving over 100 million copies and making him wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. As Jackson struggled to repeat its success, his public image and reputation became increasingly eccentric, and as allegations of drug abuse, excessive plastic surgery, and inappropriate behavior with children were thrown at him, Jackson found himself trapped between his desire to entertain his fans and proving to the world that he was a normal and law-abiding man.
Cast
- Flex AlexanderFlex AlexanderMark Alexander Knox , better known as Flex Alexander or Flex, is an American actor, comedian and dancer.-Early life:Born in New York City in Harlem, Alexander is the son of Alethia Knox and Robert Whitehead....
as Michael JacksonMichael JacksonMichael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records... - Eugene ClarkEugene Clark (actor)-Football career:Before he began acting, he played college football. He was an all-conference offensive guard at UCLA and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the ninth round of the 1975 NFL Draft...
as BobbyBobby* nickname of Robert or RobinBobby or Bobbie may refer to:* Bobby , a given name * Bobby , a free online tool used to validate websites* Bobby , an album by Bobby Brown... - Theresa Browning as Woman
- Marty Antonini as Detective #2
- Tom Carey as Director
- Brian Copping as Elder
- Lynne Cormack as Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth TaylorDame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE was a British-American actress. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age...
- Hugh Delaney as Judge
- Cedric De Souza as Martin BashirMartin BashirMartin Bashir is a British journalist and media personality, currently with NBC News as a contributor for its Dateline program, and an afternoon anchor for MSNBC, hosting Martin Bashir...
- Talon Dunbar as Little Boy
- Greg Farkas as Male Dancer
- Brennan Gademans as Young Michael Jackson
- Jason Griffith as Jermaine JacksonJermaine JacksonJermaine La Jaune Jackson is an American singer, bassist, composer, a member of The Jackson 5, older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson and occasional film director...
- Patricia IdlettePatricia IdlettePatricia Idlette is an actress known for her role as Kiffany, a waitress, in Showtime's Dead Like Me. She also played a small roles in Ginger Snaps 2 and Battlestar Galactica, as one of the counsellors working at Brigitte's rehab centre and a nurse taking a mammogram for Dana in the Showtime...
as Katherine JacksonKatherine JacksonKatherine Esther Jackson is the matriarch of the Jackson musical family.-Early life:... - Samantha Kaine as Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
- Liberty Kee as Nanny
- Margaret AveryMargaret AveryMargaret Avery is an American actress and singer. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance as Shug in The Color Purple .-Early life:...
as Martha Upshaw - Greg Lawson as Detective #1
- Daniel Libman as Dr. Goodman
- Barbara MamaboloBarbara MamaboloBarbara Mamabolo is a Canadian actress. Since 1998, she has amassed an extensive list of theatre and television credits. She was born in Toronto, Ontario....
as Janet JacksonJanet JacksonJanet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years... - Brian Martell as Thomas
- Peter Onorati as Ziggy
- Duncan Pattillo as Bodyguard
- Lou Poulis as Gardner
- Brendan Prost as Manny (based on Jordan Chandler)
- Brooklynn Proulx as Paris Jackson
- Krista Rae as Lisa Marie PresleyLisa Marie PresleyLisa Marie Presley is an American singer and songwriter, also known as the "Princess of Rock and Roll". She is the only child of Elvis Presley, and daughter of Priscilla Presley.-Early life:...
- Chad Riley as Dance crew member
- Troy Rudolph as Stage Manager
- Carrie Schiffler as Surgeon
- Connor Schmidt as Lisa's Son
- Peter Skagen as Attorney
- Amy SloanAmy SloanAmy Kathleen Sloan is a Canadian actress. She was born in Gladstone, Manitoba and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon. Her mother is actress Mary Sloan....
as Holly - William S. Taylor as Johnnie CochranJohnnie CochranJohnnie L. Cochran, Jr. was an American lawyer best known for his leadership role in the defense and criminal acquittal of O. J...
- April TelekApril Telek-Early life and career:Telek was born and raised on the North Shore of Vancouver, British Columbia. In Japan she pursued her modeling career and won a Shiseido Cosmetics contract for Asia from 1989-1990. In April 1994 she won the title of Miss Canada and represented Canada in several International...
as Debbie RoweDebbie RoweDeborah Jeanne "Debbie" Rowe is an ex-wife of pop singer, Michael Jackson, and the mother of two of his children. She currently lives in Palmdale, California.-Early life:... - Michael Tod as Sick Boy
- Jameson Trenholm as Junkie #2
- Frederic Tucker as Joe Jackson
- Aidan Wilks as David (based on Gavin Arvizo)
- Gerrick Winston as Tito JacksonTito JacksonToriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson is an American singer and lead guitarist and original member of The Jackson 5. He is the older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.-Early life and rise to stardom:...
- Chris Scheuerman as Security Guard (uncredited)
Award nominations
- 2005 - Nominated NAACP Image AwardNAACP Image AwardAn NAACP Image Award is an accolade presented by the American National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to honor outstanding people of color in film, television, music, and literature....
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special - Flex AlexanderFlex AlexanderMark Alexander Knox , better known as Flex Alexander or Flex, is an American actor, comedian and dancer.-Early life:Born in New York City in Harlem, Alexander is the son of Alethia Knox and Robert Whitehead....
.