Michael Jackson's Surrogate Father: Bill Bray's Story

0:00On April 24, in the new Michael Jackson biopic called Michael, now playing in theaters, actor Kaelin Derrell Jones brings to life Bill Bray, the security guard who's stuck by Jackson from his Jackson five days as a kid right into adulthood. Bray started when Joe Jackson hired him to keep the young star safe, and he became way more than just muscle. He handled safety, business advice even, Dr. Visits. Bray was like a surrogate dad to Michael, filling a gap left by his busy father, who focused on the money side of things. Folks close to the family said Bray was his alter ego, involved in every corner of Jackson's wild life, from world tours to meeting royals. When Bray passed away at 80 in 2005, Jackson was heartbroken, calling him a longtime friend, mentor, and trusted advisor through his, publicist. Bray's wife remembered how Michael would jump into his arms after shows, treating him like the real father figure he needed. Their bond had a rough patch in the mid-1990s, for reasons that stayed private, and Bray

1:01stepped back from the family. Around that time, a personal note from Jackson surfaced, thanking Bray for the fatherly love during a tough childhood on stage. Bographer J. Randy Tarborelli recently praised Bray as a loyal protector everyone loved, just like others in Jackson's circle who wanted to shield him. The movie spotlights that deep connection, giving fans a fresh look at the man behind the guard. Pop culture, powered by AI. This is entertainment and celebrity news today.