“Being a huge fan, I was – of course – extremely nervous to meet him. Michael was unquestionably eccentric, but to my surprise, he was warm, curious, amusing, and un-temperamental. I was particularly struck by how this legendary megastar became just another affectionate, playful, protective big brother whenever Janet was around.
I took the opportunity to chat with him between takes and he always skewed the conversation away from himself. He asked about my childhood, my favorite films, if I knew how to swim, my religion, etc. My mother visited the set, and Michael immediately charmed her, asking her to hold his jacket while he filmed, giving her a warm hug and kiss as he left the set each day. My mom felt like she had a new best friend. The chance to experience the phenomenon of his gift from only a few feet away was the treat of a lifetime. Over those ten days of filming, I felt like I had the single greatest job in the world. And I think, perhaps, I actually did. I’m sorry his life became so horrendously complicated. As a person, he didn’t actually seem that complicated to me.”
“I was born in 1957; he was born in 1958. And so I grew up, literally, with Michael Jackson. We both reached adolescence at the same time. And I had a big Afro like he did, and I hoped that the girls would like me the way they liked Michael — but that wasn’t happening. And you know, I loved him as a solo artist, but I have a special place in my heart for the stuff he did with the Jackson 5: “I’ll Be There.”
And
“Michael was great. He had a sense of humor. He worked hard. People talk about how hard Kobe Bryant works; he didn’t work harder than Michael Jackson. This is what I’ve come to learn. You know, I did a documentary on Kobe, I know him; Michael Jordan, I worked with him a little; Michael Jackson — when you love what you do that much, it’s not work. So you can go longer and harder and faster and quicker because it’s not a burden. You love what you’re doing.”
Spike Lee – Filmmaker
Spike Lee directed the They Don’t Care About Us music video
Source: Time interview
“I was lucky enough to know and work with Michael Jackson in his prime. Michael was an extraordinary talent and a truly great international star. He had a troubled and complicated life and despite his gifts, remains a tragic figure. My wife Deborah and I will always have great affection for him.”
John Landis – filmmaker
John Landis directed the Thriller video.
“Michael was a dear friend and a consummate professional. This was the most exciting collaboration of my life with a man who has inspired me like no other. He will be deeply missed. I am terribly sad. We had a 25 year friendship. This is all too much to comprehend. This was the world’s greatest performer and the world will miss him. My heart goes out to his family and fans.”
Kenny Ortega – producer, director and choreographer
Kenny Ortega was working on the scheduled 50-date This Is It concert tour Michael Jackson was planning.
“Michael was not only a great friend, but a true inspiration in my life. I will never forget his kindness to me, and his beautiful heart. He was the best father and truly loved his children. I will miss him.”
and
“I know that people looked at Michael and thought he was strange, but to me, he was fascinating. He was the most inspirational person in my life. His one dream was to cure all the sick children in the world. And when I’d say, ‘Isn’t that impossible?’ Michael would just start to cry. He was very emotional about things that moved him. I guess you’d have to say he was a pure innocent in a world that wasn’t so innocent anymore.”
Brett Ratner – Director/ Producer -
Best known for his films such as The Family Man, After the Sunset, Red Dragon, the Rush Hour series, and X-Men: The Last Stand and directing numerous music videos.
Brett Ratner with Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson with Bret Ratner grooving to R Kelly’s Ignition
“Michael Jackson was extraordinary. When we worked together on ‘Bad,’ I was in awe of his absolute mastery of movement on the one hand, and of the music on the other. Every step he took was absolutely precise and fluid at the same time. It was like watching quicksilver in motion. He was wonderful to work with, an absolute professional at all times, and – it really goes without saying – a true artist. It will be a while before I can get used to the idea that he’s no longer with us.”
Martin Scorsese - filmmaker who directed the video for “Bad”
“Just as there will never be another Fred Astaire or Chuck Berry or Elvis Presley, there will never be anyone comparable to Michael Jackson. His talent, his wonderment and his mystery make him legend.”
Steven Spielberg – filmmaker
Michael Jackson, Steven Spielberg and Stan Winston
