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A seething, cursing and furious Mel Gibson rips into Oksana Grigorieva during a jealous rant about her ex-lover, former James Bond star Timothy Dalton.

It’s captured on new audio obtained and released exclusively by RadarOnline.com. This is Number 7 in the headline-making series of tapes that have featured Gibson spewing racist insults, threats, profane tirades and more.

Dalton is the father of Oksana’s 12-year-old son Alexander (nickname Sascha) and has been emotionally supporting her through her ordeal with Gibson, visiting her as recently as this past weekend.

In the new tape, furious Mel says: “Did you get my last message about me being a bad father, and Tim being a great dad now?”

Oksana, who does not fight back on the new tape, utters a barely audible “no,” as Gibson continues to rant, hurling some of the most hateful language yet captured on audio.

“You didn’t hear that one?” Mel continues. “Well, you should go and f*ck him (Dalton), you know, you fickle c*nt because I don’t care.”

Gibson’s anger builds and he obscenely tells Oksana to go have sex with someone else in front of her son.

WARNING: This audio contains graphic and profane language. It has been left unedited so that the full impact of Mel’s rant can be heard. RadarOnline.com has not altered this tape in any way.

“The game’s over,” Mel yells. “Okay. The game’s over. Let the new games begin so you can get it on with anybody else and your son can watch it.
“What is it? Number 45 he’s going to have to look at? F*cking good.”

After that repulsive diatribe, Gibson then tells her: “I’m so f*cking sorry I had a child with you.”

Consistent with the other conversations released exclusively by RadarOnline.com, Gibson heaps profanity and verbal abuse on Oksana, again telling her that she’s used him.

“I despise you,” he says with fury in his voice. “I don’t want you back. You have proven yourself to me. You’re not the f*cking woman I want.

“You’re a f*cking fake. You’re a f*cking sham. You don’t know what the f*ck it means to make a man happy. You didn’t make me f*cking happy., I couldn’t make you happy with the BEST I DID FOR ANYBODY, EVER! EVER,” he yells. “You f*cking glum c*nt!”

The tape was recorded by Oksana in February as their relationship was imploding. As RadarOnline.com reported exclusively on Sunday, the couple held a tree-planting ceremony on Feb. 18 in honor of their daughter Lucia but things went badly wrong when Mel flew into a jealous rage and accused Oksana of “smiling too much” at one of the workers. At approximately 6 pm Oksana left Mel’s Malibu mansion – for good.

On this newly released tape, Mel refers to the incident and yells: “You didn’t f*cking crack a smile with the tree ceremony up there, NOTHING! What the f*ck do I have to do. And remember whose f*cking roof you’re under! You ingrate b*tch!”

Mel attempted to quit smoking several times during his relationship with Oksana and often used that as an excuse for his abusive behavior. While this new argument is taking place he makes reference to his attempt to quit smoking.

With Oksana silent, Mel yells: “You f*cking ruined me!

“You f*cking ingrate! I’m so mad! I’m so angry! And this is NOT the nicotine, this is the truth! You f*cking don’t love me one bit and you know it, you using b*tch.”

Mel and Oksana’s brutal battle is at the center of three investigations. The LA County Sheriff’s Department is looking into charges that Mel beat Oksana on January 6. She has strong evidence supporting her injuries, which included damaged front teeth and a concussion.

The Department of Children and Family Services is also looking into the situation. Mel claims Oksana shook the baby, which she denies. But Oksana said that Mel punched her in the mouth and the temple while she was holding the baby.

And the custody battle is being fought in closed-door courtrooms with a judge holding much evidence under seal.

Gibson denies hitting Oksana and his lawyers claim she tried to extort him. The Sheriff’s Department is looking into that as part of their investigation.

Oksana walked away from a $15 million mediation-brokered settlement in May.

The tapes released exclusively by RadarOnline.com contain racist rants by Gibson and out-of-control profane outbursts that have shocked listeners.

At one point the Oscar-winner tells Oksana that she “f*cking deserved it” after she says he hit her.

The couple was together for three years.

Cheech and Chong have got some pretty blunt advice for Prime Minister Stephen Harper when it comes to Canada's marijuana's laws.

"Wise up, you douchebag," Cheech Marin says with some glee when asked what he'd tell the prime minister.

Chong, who hails from Edmonton, nods in agreement.

The team of tokers is miffed that Canadian authorities, after nearly decriminalizing pot a few years ago, have made a 180-degree policy shift which culminated in a rash of recent marijuana arrests.

"I would tell Stephen Harper to let go of George Bush's butt," Chong chimes in. "Your head's too far up there. Get your head out of his butt. He's gone. George is gone. He's history, Stephen.

"In fact, turn it over to other people who care about more important things."

A spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office was not immediately available to comment.

Richard "Cheech" Marin and Tommy Chong, who have grown from a stoner counterculture act when they started in 1970s, are cultural icons when it comes to doper humour.

Besides performing live, the duo have released several comedy albums and films and appeared in numerous TV shows. Marin was a regular in the cop drama "Nash Bridges" while Chong had a recurring role on the comedy "That '70s Show."

They went their separate ways in the 1980s, with reports of friction between them, but returned to working together on a variety of projects, including their current tour, in the late 1990s.

Needless to say, they are unabashed advocates of legal marijuana.

Cheech and Chong were in Montreal where they hosted a show last week at the Just For Laughs Festival, doing some of their fabled bits. It's their only Canadian date for now.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, they were more than happy to hold forth on their favoured herb.

"The trouble with the law is that pot is quasi-legal," ventured Cheech, whose father was a Los Angeles police officer for 30 years.

"It's a grey area. You don't know if it's legal or isn't legal. It's like being quasi-pregnant. Either you're pregnant or you're not."

Marijuana for medicinal use has been allowed in Canada for nearly a decade and was nearly decriminalized by Parliament seven years ago. After taking office in 2006, the Conservatives announced they would not revive a Liberal bill to reform marijuana laws.

Last month, police arrested 35 people in raids on clubs in Quebec which supply visitors with marijuana, ostensibly as therapeutic treatment for certain medical conditions. A club in Toronto was also raided two months ago.

Chong sported a T-shirt emblazoned with the face of British Columbia pot activist Marc Emery, who now faces five years in a U.S. prison after being deported from Canada earlier this year. Chong said he wasn't surprised Emery was deported.

"I'm insulted. As a Canadian I'm insulted that Harper would go to that length."

He said marijuana has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. Cheech's grandmother used it for arthritis and his wife used a hemp-based cream.

"It's a political football that the Conservatives jump all over," Chong said of the marijuana debate.

Health Canada says there are definite distinctions between regulated medicinal marijuana and street use.

"Health Canada does not advocate the legalization of marijuana. Marijuana remains an illegal and controlled substance, similar to other controlled products," spokesman Gary Holub said in an email. "Unlawful possession is a criminal offence."

Cheech, who is now 64, and Chong, 72, both got turned on to pot when they were young.

"It was like a really hush-hush thing," Cheech said of the era. "My roommate turned me on and it was like, 'Wow, how soon can I quit my job?' "

Chong said he got high when he was 18. A jazz bass player handed him a marijuana cigarette and a Lenny Bruce record — and the rest is history.

"Lenny Bruce got me into comedy so really the pot and Lenny together is why we're here now."

He said smoking pot wasn't a big deal then because many people didn't recognize the smell.

"I remember someone asked us what kind of tobacco that was," he said of one time when he imbided during a visit to Kelowna, B.C. "After we stopped laughing for a half-hour we told them it was Italian."

But pot has landed Chong behind bars. He served nine months in 2003 for selling pot pipes.

Cheech and Chong enjoy the comedians that have imitated their act over the years but they take pride in their originality.

Cheech says they always reflected the mainstream "middle-of-the-road dopers."

Chong agreed.

"I think what made us was the fact that back in the day people would talk about stoners. We were the stoners — so much so I ended up going to jail because I was such a good actor they believed that's who I really was."

In a shocking new audiotape, Mel tells Oksana, the mother of his daughter, tells her she “f***** deserved” to get punched in the face and — most shockingly of all — that he wants to kill her.

In another disturbing leaked audiotape of Mel Gibson, the 54-year-old actor threatens to kill his now ex-girlfriend Oksana Girgorieva twice AND admits to punching her in the face.

The eight-minute rant is more shocking and offensive than the last — Mel is breathing heavily and is so frustrated he can barely talk. He truly sounds like a mad man.

“You need a f*cking bat in the side of the head. Alright, how about that?” the Braveheart actor says at one point.

Oksana remains fairly calm and and threatens, “You’re gonna answer one day, boy, you’re gonna answer.”

Later, Mel threatens to kill the mother of his 10-month-old daughter, Lucia, again, yelling, “Threaten ya? I’ll put you in a f *ckin rose garden you c*nt! You understand that? Because I’m capable of it. You understand that?”

When Oksana questions him about punching her in the face and knocking out her teeth, Mel admits he did it, screaming, “Oh, you’re all angry now! You know what, you f* cking deserved it!”

Mel is currently under investigation by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Dept. for child endangerment, domestic abuse and gun charges. Could this new tape lead to criminal assault charges?

We've just learned that WME Entertainment actually fired Mel Gibson the day before his longtime Hollywood agent Ed Limato's death last weekend. I'm told what happened is that the news media reported last week there was a tape of Mel Gibson making a racial slur. And last Friday, WME board member Ari Emanuel "woke up at 3 AM and emailed his partner Patrick Whitesell that 'we can't represent a guy who said the N-word'." So the agency dumped Mel Gibson on July 2nd, and the next day, on July 3rd, his agent Limato died. Today the 2-minute recording was released by the celebrity website RadarOnline.com which initially broke the news that on it Mel Gibson allegedly uses a racial epithet during a fight with Oksana Grigorieva, the mother of his child: "You're an embarrassment to me. You look like a f***ing bitch in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of n***ers, it will be your fault." Just now, the Drudge Report headlined both stories, "Mel In Hell".

3 PM: "There is no way, with Ed Limato not here, that Mel Gibson would be a client of this company, " an insider just told me. "I don't think anybody's surprised by this, given Ari's history." Of course that's a reference to Ari Emanuel's July 2006 appeal to Hollywood not to work with Gibson after the actor's drunken anti-Semitic rant during an arrest by an officer with the Malibu Sheriff's Station. ("At a time of escalating tensions in the world, the entertainment industry cannot idly stand by and allow Mel Gibson to get away with such tragically inflammatory statements," Emanuel posted on The Huffington Post. "People in the entertainment community, whether Jew or gentile, need to demonstrate that they understand how much is at stake in this by professionally shunning Mel Gibson and refusing to work with him, even if it means a sacrifice to their bottom line.")

Then, irony of ironies, Ari inherited Mel as a client when Endeavor agency merged in April 2009 with the William Morris Agency where Ed Limato was a senior agent. Limato had represented Gibson since the start of the actor's Hollywood career. But I've learned that it wasn't Limato's death that caused WME to dump Gibson. In fact, the agency had "not officially represented" the actor prior to Limato's death but both camps agreed to keep it secret. Gibson recently has been facing a new round of horrible publicity caused by allegations that tape recordings were made of him uttering a racial slur and threatening violence against his former girlfriend. The tapes were turned over to a Los Angeles judge in the pair's messy custody battle over their daughter.

The question since this latest scandal is whether Gibson's Hollywood career will be affected. Now those questions will multiply tenfold because WME has dropped him. Still, Gibson, the director of the worldwide biggest independent film ever The Passion Of The Christ, has a very active motion picture career at present. He stars in a movie called The Beaver directed by Jodie Foster which is supposed by distributed by Summit Entertainment. And he's filming a movie titled, How I Spent My Summer Vacation, about a career criminal brutally imprisoned in Mexico and the 9-year-old boy who helps keep him alive. Gibson also has been talking about directing a Viking epic project as well as reteaming with Lethal Weapon scribe Shane Black in Cold Warrior. And, of course, Gibson also is a movie mogul as the co-owner of Icon Productions.

As for WME, I know that Ed Limato in his last days asked his clients like Denzel Washington, Richard Gere, and Steve Martin, to remain with the agency and be represented by board member Patrick Whitesell.

As for Gibson, when he met Limato, then a William Morris agent, the Australian film industry was just beginning to make an impact on Hollywood. An Australian agent sent over a photo and a resume of a client he thought Limato might want. As Limato slipped the photograph from the envelope, it took his breath away. But could Mel Gibson act? Limato would soon find out. Gibson had just made Mad Max, a low-budget Australian movie directed by George Miller which had fared well in Europe. The agent expected to be disappointed. Instead, he was awestruck. From the very first frame of film, Gibson showed range. As it turned out, Gibson had already visited several agencies, including CAA. “CAA asked him to ‘read,’ Limato recalled to me. “I really want you to be my client,” Limato said to him. As Gibson’s star rose, so, too, did Limato’s. Now Limato's WME agency ends its relationship with Gibson.

A judge sentenced Lindsay Lohan on Tuesday to 90 days in jail and an inpatient rehab program after finding the actress had violated her probation in a 2007 drug case by failing to attend alcohol education classes.

The actress burst into tears after the ruling.

Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel issued the sentence after listening to testimony from employees of an alcohol treatment program that Lohan had been ordered to attend.

Lohan missed seven classes since December, which led to the judge's harsh rebuke moments after the "Mean Girls" star offered a tearful apology.

"I did do everything I was told to do and did the best I could to balance jobs and showing up," Lohan told the judge. "It wasn't vacation, it wasn't some sort of a joke."

Revel said she found Lohan's apology insincere, comparing it to "somebody who cheats and thinks it isn't cheating if she doesn't get caught."

Lohan was not immediately taken into custody and will be permitted to surrender on July 20. She will have to wear an ankle alcohol monitor until then.

Los Angeles County district attorney spokeswoman Jane Robison said it was not uncommon for judges to allow defendants to turn themselves in at a later date so they can get their affairs in order.

The sentence tripled the monthlong jail sentence prosecutors had sought for Lohan.

It was unclear how much time Lohan will actually spend in jail. Los Angeles Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said female inmates convicted of nonviolent misdemeanors serve about a quarter of their sentence but that can be further reduced by state credits.

Whitmore said Lohan might be released on house arrest, but it would depend on the specifics of Revel's order.

Lohan could be returning to the suburban Lynwood jail where she spent 84 minutes in 2007 after pleading guilty to two misdemeanor counts of being under the influence of cocaine, and no contest to two counts of driving with a blood-alcohol level above 0.08 percent and one count of reckless driving. She had been sentenced to four days behind bars.

The same jail housed Paris Hilton for 23 days in 2007 after she was found guilty of driving on a suspended license while on probation in an alcohol-related, reckless-driving case.

Whitmore said then that budget problems meant nonviolent female inmates were only serving about 10 percent of their sentences. The department still faces overcrowding and budget issues, he said.

Judge Revel spent several minutes Tuesday detailing Lohan's conduct since 2007, noting the actress had repeatedly deflected blame and made excuses.

There were "a number of instances that would show her not taking things seriously," said Revel, who imposed a series of strict, new conditions on the actress.

Lohan will now have a probation officer who will monitor her progress more closely. Lohan was previously on informal probation and supervised by a judge. She will also have to enter inpatient rehab.

Revel revoked Lohan's probation and ordered her to wear an ankle alcohol monitor after the starlet missed a court date in May. She was promoting a film project at the Cannes Film Festival at the time and claimed her passport was stolen.

The monitor issued an alert after the actress attended the MTV Movie Awards and after-parties last month. Revel said the device registered a .03 blood alcohol level at the time. Lohan has denied drinking that night.

Lohan's attorney, Shawn Chapman Holley, urged the judge to place the actress back on probation, saying she had learned her lesson and had improved.

Prosecutor Danette Meyers disagreed and urged jail time for the star.

"When you ordered her to go every week, it didn't catch her attention," Meyers said in a closing statement.

The 2007 plea came after a pair of high-profile arrests earlier that year. Lohan was sentenced to three years probation but had to ask for a yearlong extension in October after she failed to complete her alcohol-education courses on time.

It was a night of comebacks at the BET Awards, and none more unexpected than Chris Brown performing an emotional tribute to Michael Jackson.

The embattled pop star has mostly kept a low profile since pleading guilty to felony assault for beating up Rihanna in February 2009. But here he was, center stage, mimicking Jackson's signature dance moves with almost eerie accuracy. Introduced by Jermaine Jackson, Brown embodied the King of Pop, wearing his fedora and spangled glove and moonwalking across the stage to Billie Jean.

Then, as Brown grabbed a microphone to sing Man in the Mirror, he broke down in tears. His voice cracked, he couldn't sing, and at one point he crumpled to the stage in apparent agony. It was a moving moment made even more so by the song's lyrics and Brown's recent past.

The 21-year-old returned to the stage later in the show when he won the AOL "fandemonium award."

"I let you all down before, but I won't do it again. I promise you," he said.

Sunday's ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium began with a comeback: Kanye West opened the show atop a volcano onstage in his first TV appearance since dissing Taylor Swift at last year's MTV Video Music Awards.

T.I. also made a triumphant return to television in his first TV performance since being released from prison in December. Backed by Travis Barker on drums, T.I. performed Yeah Ya Know, and later returned to the stage to sing Hello, Good Morning with Diddy-Dirty Money, Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj, who won for female hip-hop artist.

El DeBarge also made a comeback, his falsetto undiminished, performing hits I Like It,Time Will Reveal and Rhythm of the Night. He returned later to perform the title track from his new album due in the fall, Second Chance.

Host Queen Latifah was also musical, first singing to famous members of the audience, then returning to her rap roots and rhyming about the royalty in the audience: herself and Prince, who received BET's lifetime achievement award.

The venerable entertainer was feted with an all-female musical tribute. Janelle Monae offered an energetic take on Let's Go Crazy. Jazz musician Esperanza Spalding accompanied herself on standup bass for If I Was Your Girlfriend.Alicia Keys started behind the piano, then climbed on top of it, when she sang Adore, and Patti LaBelle kicked off her shoes to give her all to Purple Rain.

Prince, who wore a tunic with his own image on it, seemed humbled by the tribute.

"I'm just so thankful to be a part of this world of music," he said. "Thanks for a wonderful night. I'll never forget it as long as I live."

Performances were so plentiful during the 3 1/2-hour show that prizes were almost secondary.

Usher was backed by a string section as he sang There Goes My Baby. Drake, who was named best male hip-hop artist, performed his hit Thank Me Later. B.o.B. was joined by Keyshia Cole, and later Eminem, on Airplanes. Eminem continued with his new single, Not Afraid, backed by a choir. Trey Songz, who was named best male R&B artist, crooned his hit, Yo Side of the Bed, as a banner on stage behind him read, "pray for our soldiers and their families."

Alicia Keys performed a medley of her hits, bookended by two awards. She won for female R&B artist and best collaboration for her song with Jay-Z, Empire State of Mind.

John Legend was presented with BET's humanitarian award for his work on the Show Me Campaign, which aims to eradicate poverty worldwide through education and health care. He challenged his peers to become humanitarians as well.

"There's a lot of money, fame and influence in this room tonight," Legend said. "So I say to all of us: We can do better, we can make this world better. Let's not waste this opportunity."

The BET Awards honor the year's best in music, sports and film in 19 categories. Winners are selected by a voting academy comprising industry insiders and executives, music journalists and a group of fans randomly selected by BET.com.

Serena Williams won sportswoman of the year and LeBron James was sportsman of the year. Beyonce and Lady Gaga weren't on hand to accept their award for video of the year for Video Phone, nor was Rihanna around to collect the viewer's choice award for her song with Young Jeezy, Hard.

Sunday's show also introduced emerging musicians to the audience through BET's Music Matters initiative, and shined a spotlight on four citizens who are contributing to their communities through education and outreach.

Ludacris was surrounded by female violinists and backed by Tommy Lee on drums as he performed My Chick Bad. Then, a marching band joined him on stage — as did DJ Khaled, T-Pain, Ross and Minaj — to close the show with the rousing Hands Up.

The estate of Michael Jackson is taking issue with a documentary that is to debut in Japan on the anniversary of the pop star's death on Friday.

Most of the footage in the film was shot by Marc Schaffel, a former business partner who had a major falling out with Jackson in a messy trial in which they sued each other four years ago.

In a statement sent to The Associated Press on Thursday, the estate says the film's promoters "misled Michael Jackson's fans" by making it appear as if it were authorized.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," the estate said. "His estate was not consulted on this film, and will not endorse it."

The estate said none of the proceeds will flow to the estate, which benefits his children, mother and charities. It also said the movie cannot legally use any of Jackson's music.

Schaffel's lawyer, Howard King, said Thursday that his client had licensed footage that Schaffel either shot himself or hired a crew to take for the film's producer, Flamingo Features. He said Schaffel did not represent any endorsement from the estate.

"Marc Schaffel could not have been more clear about the lack of involvement of the estate," King said in an interview.

Schaffel provided footage from 2003 including of Jackson's birthday party at his sprawling Neverland Ranch, and was in Tokyo for the premiere with Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, King said.

King said the Japanese distributor, a company called Star Sands, may have mistakenly been promoting the film as authorized, but he said advertisements were being changed early Friday.

"What I believe is that Star Sands advertised the movie as being endorsed by the estate without knowing the truth," he said. "I believe they are currently changing their advertising, now that they have become aware of the estate's claim."

Flamingo Features is a Los Angeles-based company that rents production offices on the lot of Viacom Inc.'s movie studio, Paramount Pictures.

Shaye Sullwold, one of the producers on the documentary and Flamingo Features's co-chair, on Thursday denied misleading Star Sands about the estate's involvement.

She also said Paramount was not involved. A Paramount spokesman declined to comment immediately.

"We've never said anything about the estate endorsing anything," Sullwold said.

A photograph by Arno Bani of Michael Jackson called Michael Jackson's Blue Eye, originally shot for the cover of the singer's Invincible album. Images from the shoot are set to be auctioned in December 2010

As Michael Jackson's fans prepare to mark the first anniversary of his death on June 25 with concerts, tributes and remembrances, the superstar's father has even bigger plans. Get ready for Michael Jackson Day, an annual, universal day of celebration to honor the King of Pop's life and work. "I would like to see a Michael Jackson Day all over the world," Joe Jackson says. "And maybe in the United States it would be a holiday. I want Michael's legacy to continue on."

The Jackson patriarch has always been a big talker and the notion is indeed far-fetched. But a year ago, the idea would have been laughable. Following his death, Michael Jackson's imperfect image has seen a rehabilitation of epic proportions. His reconstructed face, his reclusive tendencies, the accusations of his improprieties with young children — all have fallen away in the wake of his sudden, untimely demise. "There's an expression for that: In death, all is forgiven," says Marc Schaffel, Jackson's former business partner. "Or at least forgotten." 

This selective forgetting looks to continue in earnest. Those who loved Jackson, love him all the more fervently. Schaffel, who had a significant falling out with Jackson, is back in the complicated family fold (he has scored an exclusive interview with Jackson's mother Katherine, airing on NBC Friday night) and is currently in Japan for the premiere of his documentary Michael Jackson: Inside His Private World, based on footage he shot of the pop star in 2003. The movie will open in an impressive 200 theaters in Tokyo on Friday, which he says are sold out for a two-week run.  

The image rehabilitation began almost immediately following the news of Jackson's death and was substantiated at Jackson's Staples Center memorial on July 7, 2009. As Michael's brilliant gold coffin glistened nearby, the Rev. Al Sharpton addressed Michael's three children from the podium saying, "There was nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange what your daddy had to deal with." Ever since, those not on board with the Michael Jackson reverence have rarely been welcomed to express it. "Since he's died I haven't heard anyone use a derogatory word against him, much less Wacko Jacko. He is now Michael Jackson," says Schaffel. "Anything else would be disrespectful. He's part of history now."  

The Michael renaissance has been enhanced by the public's affection for his children. Before Jackson died, little was known about 13-year-old Prince Michael, 12-year-old Paris and Prince Michael II (or "Blanket"), 8, beyond glimpses of them in gossip magazines wearing eerie masks or veils over their faces. Whereas fatherhood has served to humanize many celebrities, in Jackson's case it only added to the freak show. But his very public memorial service doubled as a coming-out ceremony for the children: they appeared normal and well behaved despite the unimaginable circumstances. Paris' tearful goodbye to her father at the end of the ceremony — "Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine," she said, "and I just wanted to say I love him so much" — was not only her first public words; it forever cast Michael in the role of loving patriarch, skeptics be damned.

Since then, the children have maintained what seems to be a remarkably grounded existence under the watchful eye of grandmother Katherine. By most accounts they are well-bred kids who love fairy tales, computers and their regular karate classes. Family friend Steve Manning recalls giving Paris a book when staying with the Jacksons earlier this month. Hours later, he found a thank-you note from the girl in his room. "Michael raised three beautiful, unpretentious children who are wonderful," he says.

Even Jackson's notoriously precarious financial situation is being burnished. In the last years of his life, the King of Pop's extravagant lifestyle — from the $5 million annual upkeep on his Neverland ranch to his bizarre spending habits (a $250,000 antique shopping spree in Beverly Hills in 2003 and a $1 million appearance fee paid to Marlon Brando in 2001, for starters) — began to outpace the continued profits from his career. The slide was only abetted by the millions of dollars in legal settlements and fees Jackson paid following the child-molestation cases brought against him. By the mid-1990s, Michael was forced to sell 50% of his stake in the Beatles catalog to Sony for $100 million to help balance his books. By 2009, his debt had helped push the increasingly reclusive icon into signing up for his first extended concert run in over a decade, aptly named This Is It. Jackson died less than three weeks before the curtain was to go up on the first show. 

But in the 365 days since his death, the nostalgia for Jackson has turned into even bigger business: in the year since he died, the Jackson estate has earned an estimated $250 million, according to the Associated Press. This has included a posthumous deal to sell unreleased Jackson recordings with Sony Music, which has already brought $125 million to the estate. Sony Music has sold more than 31 million Jackson albums since he died, shocking for a music industry and a performer in decline. 

The estate's finances have also been helped in part thanks to the $54 million it received from Sony for the rights to This Is It. Ironically perhaps, Jackson's financial situation is also improving because its single largest revenue drain — the pop star's extraordinary spending — is now out of the equation. Executors used the money to aggressively pay down Jackson's staggering debt, including the $5 million mortgage on the Jackson's sprawling family compound in Encino, Calif.

The extended Jackson family gathered at the compound last week to celebrate the high school graduation of two of Michael's nephews. "That party is something that's put together for every Jackson kid that graduates from school. There is usually a reunion," Michael's brother Tito says. This year, it's also a time for mourning. Tito admits his admiration for Michael, like most of the world's, has grown since his passing. "We see him in a whole different light now. Although we knew what he stood for, now we see the full package. We're so proud of him."

Since his death nearly one year ago, Michael Jackson has generated more than $1 billion in revenue.

Through interviews with industry experts and by doing its own number-crunching, Billboard has examined the various revenue streams that have flowed into the Jackson estate in the past 12 months to come up with the figure.

Among the sales: Albums have generated $383 million, digital downloads have brought in $34 million, ringtones rang up another $5 million, film and TV projects account for $392 million and there is also money coming from music publishing, licensing, touring and other deals.

A year after Michael Jackson's death caused a worldwide outpouring of shock, tears and tributes, the anniversary of his passing was being marked Friday on a quieter scale, as fans remembered their fallen King of Pop with vigils, prayer and, of course, music.

The electric, enigmatic and troubled icon died on June 25, 2009, at age 50, as he was preparing for a series of comeback concerts in London. Dr. Conrad Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death for administering the powerful anesthetic propofol to Jackson to help the pop star sleep.

At Jackson's final resting place at Forest Lawn in Glendale. Calif., about 500 fans filed past barricades Friday to get close to the mausoleum where Jackson is interred. Some wept, while some carried bouquets; others were armed with cameras to document the moment.

Erick Dominguez, 37, a sales representative from Victorville, Calif., wore a black shirt with Jackson's photo that read: "In Loving Memory."

"He's been my idol all my life since I can remember. I feel like I haven't had closure," he said, starting to weep from behind dark sunglasses.

Yugi Aoki, 33, of Tokyo, came with 13 other Japanese fans. They were all wearing sparkling gloves and fedora hats, one of Jackson's signature looks. Aoki smiled as he described how Jackson influenced him: "Michael Jackson changed myself. We love his dancing and songs."

Members of the Jackson family arrived at the cemetery Friday afternoon, and brother Tito Jackson shook the hands of a few waiting fans.

In Gary, Ind., Jackson's hometown, hundreds of fans began gathering in the afternoon for a tribute at the family home; Jackson's mother, Katherine, was in the city for the event.

Leonia Lowery, 69, a retiree from Chicago, stood against the fence hoping to catch a glimpse of the family matriarch.

"I'm very proud to be here and will be coming here every year because we love him," she said as the King of Pop's music played over loudspeakers set up outside his boyhood home.

In Harlem, pictures of Jackson hung on a wall outside New York's Apollo Theater, where Jackson and his brothers won amateur night in the late 1960s. A sidewalk plaque honored the singer alongside such other legends as James Brown and Smokey Robinson.

Since the Apollo helped launch the Jackson 5, it has had a strong connection to the late singer. After Jackson's death, it became the de facto gathering place for New York fans. It was an emotional though more low-key scene on Friday morning, as Jackson's music blared from boom boxes and passing cars.

"We are really honored to have played a part in launching Michael's musical career and to serve as a gathering place for people to come and celebrate his lifetime of achievement," said Jonelle Procope, Apollo president and CEO.

Procope placed Jackson's black hat and sequin glove, both from the theater's collection, beside his plaque.

D.E. Cayard said he spent 68 days at the Apollo after Jackson's death. He returned Friday, flying in from Miami, to present an artwork as tribute to Jackson.

"I want to be among the people that are telling the world that Michael is forever," he said. "Michael is celebration."

Elsewhere in Harlem, the AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9 movie theater screened "This Is It," the documentary about Jackson's preparation for his London concerts, throughout the day. And the Rev. Al Sharpton was to lead a moment of silence in the afternoon.

In Gary, Ind., Jackson's hometown, there was to be a tribute at the family home; city officials said they expected Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, and his niece, Genevieve Jackson, to show up. Hundreds of fans were there by mid-day. Katherine Jackson was also to lend her support to a "Forever Michael" fan event in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Saturday.

In Japan, hundreds of fans met at Tokyo Tower to honor Jackson with a candlelight vigil, a gospel concert and more. Some got a chance to see a collection of his possessions, including costumes from his tours and even a 1967 Rolls-Royce Phantom that he used to drive around Los Angeles.

"I don't know what to say. Seeing all his things makes it all come back to me," said Yumiko Sasaki, a 48-year-old Tokyo officer worker who has been a Jackson fan since she was 12. "It makes me so sad to think that he is gone. He was wonderful."

About 50 guests paid $1,100 each to sleep overnight at the Tokyo landmark, where they had catered food, watched a gospel choir, looked at Jackson memorabilia and danced to Michael Jackson's music before observing a period of silence as the sun rose.

But not all memorials were to be somber. In France, Jackson weekend commemoration plans included a concert and tribute show. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland planned parties for the man who embodied dance music.

"They want to celebrate his life and music," DJ Jon Quick said of the expected partygoers Friday night at New York's club Taj, where he would play Jackson tunes.

On Twitter, "RIPMJ" was one of the most popular topics. Mariah Carey said she was marking the day by watching the video to "You Are Not Alone."

"Love and prayers to MJ `King of Pop,'" Carey tweeted. "You will be remembered forever. We miss you."