Michael Jackson has come top of the annual Forbes magazine list of top-earning dead celebrities.
The King of Pop earned $275m (£173m) in the last year, according to Forbes - more than any other celebrity, dead or alive, except Oprah Winfrey.
"Jackson's spot atop our top earning dead celebrities list should come as no surprise given the renewed interest," Forbes writer Lacey Rose said.
Elvis Presley came second, making $60m (£38m), followed by JRR Tolkien.
The estate of the Lord of the Rings author generated $50m (£32m), Forbes said. Peanuts illustrator Charles Schulz raked in $33m (£21m), while former Beatle John Lennon was fifth on the list, earning $17m (£11m).
Jackson's estate earned more than the next 12 deceased celebrities combined, Forbes estimated.
Jackson's album sales and radio airplay accounted for $50m, while sales of a video game, memorabilia and a re-released autobiography were worth another $50m, the magazine estimated.
His estate was paid $60m for This Is It, a film of the rehearsals for his ill-fated comeback concerts at the O2 arena in London, it said.
His estate has also struck deals to release previously unheard music as well as merchandise, toys and other products.
Jackson's debts were estimated at $500m (£315m) when he died aged 50 in June 2009.
Ms Rose said: "Thanks to a lucrative catalogue, hit film and album sales, the late king of pop earned more in the last year than Lady Gaga, Madonna and Jay-Z, combined."
The King of Pop earned $275m (£173m) in the last year, according to Forbes - more than any other celebrity, dead or alive, except Oprah Winfrey.
"Jackson's spot atop our top earning dead celebrities list should come as no surprise given the renewed interest," Forbes writer Lacey Rose said.
Elvis Presley came second, making $60m (£38m), followed by JRR Tolkien.
The estate of the Lord of the Rings author generated $50m (£32m), Forbes said. Peanuts illustrator Charles Schulz raked in $33m (£21m), while former Beatle John Lennon was fifth on the list, earning $17m (£11m).
Jackson's estate earned more than the next 12 deceased celebrities combined, Forbes estimated.
Jackson's album sales and radio airplay accounted for $50m, while sales of a video game, memorabilia and a re-released autobiography were worth another $50m, the magazine estimated.
His estate was paid $60m for This Is It, a film of the rehearsals for his ill-fated comeback concerts at the O2 arena in London, it said.
His estate has also struck deals to release previously unheard music as well as merchandise, toys and other products.
Jackson's debts were estimated at $500m (£315m) when he died aged 50 in June 2009.
Ms Rose said: "Thanks to a lucrative catalogue, hit film and album sales, the late king of pop earned more in the last year than Lady Gaga, Madonna and Jay-Z, combined."
Michael Jackson's estate is lashing out at the people behind a new MJ documentary set to debut in Japan tomorrow -- claiming fans are being duped into believing the flick was authorized by Team MJ.
The estate has released a scathing statement claiming that Flamingo Features is promoting the movie in a way that is misleading MJ's fans into believing the film -- shot by former MJ confidante Marc Schaffel -- was properly authorized.
The estate also makes it clear it doesn't endorse the flick and none of the profits will benefit MJ's children. They also note that the movie is not allowed to contain any of Michael's music.
Schaffel doesn't appear to be bothered -- the above photo was taken moments ago at the movie premiere in Tokyo ... where Schaffel took the stage and told fans Katherine Jackson sent along her best wishes.
Tuesday, we shot video of Schaffel and Debbie Rowe boarding a plane to Tokyo.
The estate has released a scathing statement claiming that Flamingo Features is promoting the movie in a way that is misleading MJ's fans into believing the film -- shot by former MJ confidante Marc Schaffel -- was properly authorized.
The estate also makes it clear it doesn't endorse the flick and none of the profits will benefit MJ's children. They also note that the movie is not allowed to contain any of Michael's music.
Schaffel doesn't appear to be bothered -- the above photo was taken moments ago at the movie premiere in Tokyo ... where Schaffel took the stage and told fans Katherine Jackson sent along her best wishes.
Tuesday, we shot video of Schaffel and Debbie Rowe boarding a plane to Tokyo.
Originally posted May 29th 2010 1:00 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
TMZ has learned Dr. Conrad Murray will visit Michael Jackson on or around the first anniversary of the singer's death.
Sources connected with the doctor tell us Murray is torn up by Jackson's death and the anniversary is an important milestone.
And we've learned Dr. Murray has visited the Forest Lawn mausoleum where Jackson is entombed a number of times. "He goes there a lot," we're told. Murray avoids attention by going either early in the morning or during off-hours.
TMZ has learned Dr. Conrad Murray will visit Michael Jackson on or around the first anniversary of the singer's death.
Sources connected with the doctor tell us Murray is torn up by Jackson's death and the anniversary is an important milestone.
And we've learned Dr. Murray has visited the Forest Lawn mausoleum where Jackson is entombed a number of times. "He goes there a lot," we're told. Murray avoids attention by going either early in the morning or during off-hours.
Originally posted May 14th 2010 12:35 AM PDT by TMZ Staff
Lisa Marie Presley's prayers have been answered -- TMZ has learned a flower company is about to deliver a field's worth of sunflowers to Michael Jackson's burial site in Glendale, CA.
Jason Levin from sunflowerguy.com tells TMZ he's shipping several thousand sunflowers -- which were Michael's favorite -- to his mausoleum at Forest Lawn Cemetery today.
Levin's donation follows Lisa Marie's MySpace posting Wednesday, complaining that Michael deserves more than the few bouquets, candles and gifts that currently surround his tomb.
Read more: link
Lisa Marie Presley's prayers have been answered -- TMZ has learned a flower company is about to deliver a field's worth of sunflowers to Michael Jackson's burial site in Glendale, CA.
Jason Levin from sunflowerguy.com tells TMZ he's shipping several thousand sunflowers -- which were Michael's favorite -- to his mausoleum at Forest Lawn Cemetery today.
Levin's donation follows Lisa Marie's MySpace posting Wednesday, complaining that Michael deserves more than the few bouquets, candles and gifts that currently surround his tomb.
Read more: link
"Ben"
Ben, the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you my friend will see
You've got a friend in me
(You've got a friend in me)
Ben, you're always running here and there
(Here and there)
You feel you're not wanted anywhere
(Anywhere)
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's something you should know
You've got a place to go
(You've got a place to go)
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
Ben, most people would turn you away
I don't listen to a word they say
They don't see you as I do
I wish they would try to
I'm sure they'd think again
If they had a friend like Ben
(A friend)
Like Ben
(Like Ben)
Like Ben
Ben, the two of us need look no more
We both found what we were looking for
With a friend to call my own
I'll never be alone
And you my friend will see
You've got a friend in me
(You've got a friend in me)
Ben, you're always running here and there
(Here and there)
You feel you're not wanted anywhere
(Anywhere)
If you ever look behind
And don't like what you find
There's something you should know
You've got a place to go
(You've got a place to go)
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
I used to say "I" and "me"
Now it's "us", now it's "we"
Ben, most people would turn you away
I don't listen to a word they say
They don't see you as I do
I wish they would try to
I'm sure they'd think again
If they had a friend like Ben
(A friend)
Like Ben
(Like Ben)
Like Ben
Verse 1:
Looking out
Across the nighttime
The city winks a sleepless eye
Hear her voice
Shake my window
Sweet seducing sighs
Verse 2:
Get me out
Into the nighttime
Four walls won't hold me tonight
If this town
Is just an apple
Then let me take a bite
Chorus:
If they say
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
if they say-
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
Verse 3:
Reaching out
To touch a stranger
Electric eyes are ev'rywhere
See that girl
She knows I'm watching
She likes the way I stare
Chorus
I like lovin' this way
I like lovin' this way
Verse 4:
Looking out
Across the morning
Where the city's heart begins to beat
Reaching out
I touch her shoulder
I'm dreaming at the Street
Chorus
Looking out
Across the nighttime
The city winks a sleepless eye
Hear her voice
Shake my window
Sweet seducing sighs
Verse 2:
Get me out
Into the nighttime
Four walls won't hold me tonight
If this town
Is just an apple
Then let me take a bite
Chorus:
If they say
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
if they say-
Why, why, tell 'em that it's human nature
Why, why, does he do me that way
Verse 3:
Reaching out
To touch a stranger
Electric eyes are ev'rywhere
See that girl
She knows I'm watching
She likes the way I stare
Chorus
I like lovin' this way
I like lovin' this way
Verse 4:
Looking out
Across the morning
Where the city's heart begins to beat
Reaching out
I touch her shoulder
I'm dreaming at the Street
Chorus