Janet Damita Jo Jackson

May 16, 1966

Gary, Indiana, United States

After her birth, her brothers formed a band later called The Jackson 5. She lived at home with her sisters, while her brothers, and dad, Joe Jackson, lived an extravagant life in Los Angeles. She later moved in with them while her brothers were making a name for themselves, and signed a deal with Motown. Janet was in the shadow but later also made a name for herself. As she was touring, and making appearances with her brothers, and the rest of the family, she co-starred with the rest of them in "The Jacksons". In 1977, she got the part of Penny Gordon on "Good Times". That showed her acting abilities early on. She also made a few memorable appearances on the hit TV show "Diff'rent Strokes" as Charlene Dupree. Soon afterwards came her role on "Fame". She married boyfriend James Debarge, but they divorced just months later. She signed with A&M Records, and recorded her first solo album titled "Janet Jackson". The album did poorly on the music charts. Two years later she recorded "Dream Street" which turned out to be another disaster. A year later she signed on Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to record a third album, this time called "Control". It was a hit, selling 5 million copies in the U.S. alone, spawning six hits, and the #1 "When I Think of You". Afterwards, she fired her father, her manager to truly gain control. Singer: (Albums) Janet Jackson, 1982, Dream Street, 1984, Control, 1986, Rhythm Nation , 1991, janet, 1993, Design of a Decade: 1986-1996, 1995, The Velvet Rope,1997, All For You, 2001 , Damita Jo, 2004, 20 Y.O., 2006, Dedication, 2008, Discipline, 2008, Number Ones, 2009; actress (TV series) Good Times, 1977-1979, A New Kind of Family, 1979, Diff'rent Strokes, 1981-1982, 1984, Fame, 1984-1985; (films) Poetic Justice, 1993 Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, 2000, Why Did I Get Married?, 2007 Why Did I Get Married Too?, 2010.

Janet Damita Jo Jackson Edit Profile

also known as Dunk ,JJ ,Janet Jackson

designer producer singer writer songwriter

Background

Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born on May 16, 1966 in Gary, Indiana, living in a lower class home with several brothers and sisters. Janet was the youngest.

Education

Attended Lanai Road School.Attended Portola Middle School in Tarzana, California. Was teased and harassed by kids because of her fame on Good Times.

Graduated from Valley Professional School, an institution where most children were entertainers or actors. Class of 1984.

Education period of Janet Damita Jo Jackson in Portola Middle School

Career

After her birth, her brothers formed a band later called The Jackson 5. She lived at home with her sisters, while her brothers, and dad, Joe Jackson, lived an extravagant life in Los Angeles. She later moved in with them while her brothers were making a name for themselves, and signed a deal with Motown. Janet was in the shadow but later also made a name for herself.

As she was touring, and making appearances with her brothers, and the rest of the family, she co-starred with the rest of them in "The Jacksons". In 1977, she got the part of Penny Gordon on "Good Times". That showed her acting abilities early on. She also made a few memorable appearances on the hit TV show "Diff'rent Strokes" as Charlene Dupree. Soon afterwards came her role on "Fame".

She married boyfriend James Debarge, but they divorced just months later. She signed with A&M Records, and recorded her first solo album titled "Janet Jackson". The album did poorly on the music charts. Two years later she recorded "Dream Street" which turned out to be another disaster. A year later she signed on Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to record a third album, this time called "Control". It was a hit, selling 5 million copies in the U.S. alone, spawning six hits, and the #1 "When I Think of You". Afterwards, she fired her father, her manager to truly gain control.

Singer: (Albums) Janet Jackson, 1982,

Dream Street, 1984,

Control, 1986,

Rhythm Nation , 1991,

janet, 1993,

Design of a Decade: 1986-1996, 1995,

The Velvet Rope,1997,

All For You, 2001 ,

Damita Jo, 2004,

20 Y.O., 2006,

Dedication, 2008,

Discipline, 2008,

Number Ones, 2009;

actress (TV series) Good Times, 1977-1979,

A New Kind of Family, 1979,

Diff'rent Strokes, 1981-1982, 1984,

Fame, 1984-1985;

(films) Poetic Justice, 1993

Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, 2000,

Why Did I Get Married?, 2007

Why Did I Get Married Too?, 2010.

Achievements

Voted one of "The 10 Sexiest Women of 2001" by the readers of Black Men Magazine.

Religion

Jehovah's Witnesses

Views

Mohism

Interests

Janet Jackson has always wanted and still wants to go back school to study law. She used to want to be a jockey when she was a child but has been scared to ride horses since Christopher Reeve's accident.
Philosophers & Thinkers

Kierkegaard
Athletes

Cyd Charisse
Music & Bands

R&B, pop, dance

Connections

Father:: Joe Jackson
Mother:: Katherine Jackson Katherine Jackson
Brother:: Michael Jackson

More photos

View map

Born

May 16, 1966

Gary, Indiana, United States
Nationality
United States
Ethnicity

Daughter of Joe Jackson a...
Political Party
Republic Party

Education

Awards

Grammy award

All For You, 2001 (Grammy award, Best Dance Recording, 2002)

All For You, 2001 (Grammy award, Best Dance Recording, 2002)

Music Television Best Female Video for "If"

Music Television Best Female Video for "If", named one of The 50 Most Influential African-Americans, Ebony Magazine 2004.

Music Television Best Female Video for "If", named one of The 50 Most Influential African-Americans, Ebony Magazine 2004.

Main Photo