When we talk about world-class entertainers, it doesn't get any bigger than Michael Jackson and Judy Garland.

Two of the greatest male and female entertainers of all time, but if we were to choose who is the greatest between these two superstars, Judy Garland gets the nod by a whisker, only because she lived during Hollywood's Golden Era to face competition when talent was at its best.

Michael Jackson was world famous as the "King of Pop" and Judy Garland was world renowned as the reigning "Queen of the Musicals". Michael Jackson loved Judy Garland, and seeing her performances on TV would have inspired him. And Judy Garland in the final years of her life had the opportunity to watch Michael Jackson performing as a young lad in the Jackson 5.



Two of the hottest American superstars lived two parallel lives, so lets have a look at these similarities.

• Michael Jackson and Judy Garland both began their musical career as young five year olds with their siblings. Michael Jackson was the lead singer with his older brothers dubbed "The Jackson 5", and Judy Garland was the star attraction in the song-and-dance performances with her older sisters dubbed "The Gumm Sisters", although she debut on stage singing "Jingle Bells" during the holiday season when she was two years old.

• Michael Jackson and Judy Garland weren't born from celebrity parents or rich parents. They both sang in nightclubs as a child in order to pay the bills, coming from nothing into the world's biggest stars through hard work and also a natural gift in show business.

• Michael Jackson and Judy Garland were both multi-talented on stage and film. Although, Michael Jackson established himself more as a singer, while Judy Garland is remembered for her acting and singing. Michael Jackson and Judy Garland both have two stars on the Hollywood walk of fame.

• Michael Jackson and Judy Garland had their glittering careers overshadowed by their personal life. The both of them lost weight and had health problems during their final years, and they both died suddenly around the same age as a result of taking prescription drugs. Michael Jackson was just 50 and Judy Garland was 47 when upcoming concerts were planned.

• Michael Jackson and Judy Garland had a strained relationship with one of their parents. Michael Jackson blamed his father for the loss of his childhood and mistreatment, while Judy Garland blamed her mother for exactly the same reasons.

• Michael Jackson and Judy Garland both starred in a musical film based on L. Frank Baum's "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" novel. Michael Jackson played the Scarecrow in The Wiz (1978), and Judy Garland played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (1939).

Please click on image to view a larger version




Article you may be interested in: Ralph Macchio and Judy Garland

He probably should've kept it that way.

A nice cushion, his hair would definitely keep them warm.

I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if Michael Jackson wore a wig or hair extensions to give his afro hair some volume.

According to the coroner's autopsy, it's been confirmed that he was bald when he died, and his long black hair that we've been accustomed to seeing, is actually a wig. Whether he started wearing a wig or hair extensions during his childhood is another thing.