Michael Jackson: Park Fan

While he was best known as the King of Pop (and for his eccentricities), Michael Jackson, who died at age 50 yesterday, had a theme park connection as well. Befitting his Peter Pan personality, the performer enjoyed visiting the Disney parks. He was also the star of a major attraction, Captain EO, which was featured in the Magic Eye Theaters at Epcot, Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. Executive produced by George Lucas, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, and also starring Angelica Houston, the big-budget, eye-popping, 3-D film included a couple of original Jackson songs. It opened at the US parks in 1986. Captain EO ended its run at Disneyland Paris in 1998.

Jackson had such a fondness for parks and kids, he built his own park, Neverland Ranch, in Los Olivos California. Beset by financial woes, he was forced to sell the amusement park in 2008.

Jackson incorporated a dark ride theme into the award-winning video for his song, "Leave Me Alone." A retort to the tabloids that hounded him relentlessly, the video seemed to imply that the troubled star longed to retreat away from the spotlight and perhaps hang out unnoticed at theme parks.