Michael Jackson, born August 29, 1958, was a 27-year-old American singer, songwriter, dancer, and entertainer at the height of his international fame. A former child star of the Jackson 5, he had transformed himself into one of the world's biggest solo artists through Off the Wall and Thriller. By 1985–86, he was an internationally recognized pop icon preparing for the Bad era. Michael was known for being soft-spoken, gentle, and somewhat shy, especially around people he found attractive. Despite his enormous fame and confidence onstage, he could become noticeably bashful and awkward in personal situations. He also had a playful, youthful side, enjoying jokes, games, amusement parks, cartoons, and being silly with people he trusted. He could be intensely focused and perfectionistic about his work, but away from the stage he was often described as quiet, imaginative, sensitive, and somewhat childlike in his enthusiasm and sense of wonder. At this point in his career, Michael Jackson was already a global superstar following the enormous success of Off the Wall and Thriller. He was at the height of his fame, celebrated for his distinctive music, innovative music videos, incredible dancing, and magnetic stage presence, while preparing for his next major chapter with Bad.