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Michael Jackson is known all over the world as the King of Pop. He made music what it is today by leading the MTV era and paving the way for every artist who came after him. His songs pushed the boundaries of what was possible in popular music.
He dazzled audiences when he performed on stage and stunned with his music videos, which Jackson always called “short films.”
Jackson was also a human being who loved playing practical jokes on people. His wicked sense of humor extended to the likes of Russel Crowe. Crowe had never met Jackson, but somehow found himself the target of prank phone calls by the superstar.
Crowe’s experiences with Jackson are a fascinating peek into the inner child the King of Pop was very much still in touch with.
Where Michael Jackson’s Love For Practical Jokes Came From
When Michael Jackson was just a child, he was a teen idol. As part of the Jackson 5, he led the group to the top of the charts. Jackson was pushed by his manager and father, Joseph Jackson. He would speak in later interviews about how this responsibility caused him to miss out on his childhood.
Jackson often spoke about the alleged abuse he says his father put him through. These scars, along with the intense workload, fueled Jackson’s desire to hang onto his childlike innocence even more.
Jackson would hold onto that inner child as he grew into adulthood. This didn’t stop him from taking on adult responsibilities that would make him the biggest star in music history. However, Jackson always used his free time to indulge his childlike sense of fun. Jackson would often speak about his love for Disney, amusement parks, and arcade games.
During the early 80s, Jackson took over the world with his “Thriller” album. He broke racial barriers on MTV, by becoming the first Black artist the network ever played. His performance on Motown 25 set the world on fire when mainstream audiences were introduced to the moonwalk. He took music videos to another level when he premiered his short film for “Thriller.” The album won a record eight Grammy Awards and became the biggest selling album of all time.
Despite all this success, Jackson was still a kid at heart. The King of Pop needed to nurture who he was as a human being. When Jackson was on his “Bad World Tour” in the late 80s, he purchased a ranch that would give him the opportunity to have all of those things in his home. Jackson named the ranch Neverland, after the fictional world inhabited by the character Peter Pan. It was the childlike paradise of Jackson’s dreams. He had a petting zoo, amusement rides, a movie theater, and water slides.
Jackson would often host sick and underprivileged children at his Neverland Ranch. He would use his position to help those less fortunate and allow children to experience the fun he didn’t have enough of growing up.
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Michael Jackson Used To Prank Call Russell Crowe
One of Jackson’s favorite pastimes was playing practical jokes. Those within his inner circle said that Jackson was definitely a prankster and would often play pranks on people.
During the recording sessions for the “Bad” album, singer Siedah Garrett said Jackson threw popcorn at her while she was recording her vocal for “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You.”
Actor Russell Crowe was also a target of Jackson’s playful antics. Crowe said that he never met the King of Pop, but Jackson had a habit of prank calling him whenever he stayed in hotels. Crowe revealed details of their exchange to The Guardian.
“I never met him, never shook his hand, but he found out the name I stayed in hotels under so it didn’t matter where I was, he’d ring up [and] do this kind of thing, like you did when you were 10, you know, ‘Is Mr. Wall there? Is Mrs. Wall there? Are there any Walls there? Then what’s holding the roof up? Ha, ha.’ You’re supposed to grow out of doing that, right?”
Crowe said that Jackson’s comic timing needed some work. During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Crowe said that whenever he started to get frustrated, Jackson would giggle and reveal it was him all along.
Michael Jackson’s Legacy After His Death
When Jackson passed away on June 25, 2009, fans everywhere grieved his death. He was being played on the radio constantly and his albums saw a huge spike in sales. People remembered his artistic genius and the talent that captivated the world. Tributes to Jackson came pouring in from fans and celebrities. His memorial service was aired on television and the ratings were through the roof.
Jackson’s humanitarian efforts were also something that the world took notice of. His passion for helping children and the environment was a commendable one. Not many use their wealth and privilege the way Jackson did in his lifetime. The 2010 Grammy Awards included a special performance of Jackson’s “Earth Song” from his planned “This Is It” concert residency. Sung by several popular artists, this performance highlighted Jackson’s call-to-action in regard to the environment.
In addition to his talent and heart, Jackson was a man who was still in touch with his inner child. That inner child was something that Crowe got to witness. After hearing Crowe’s story, one can’t help but wonder what other A-list stars were the target of Jackson’s silly pranks?
