Singer, dancer, actress and songwriter Janet Jackson, born Janet Damita Jo Jackson on May 16, 1966, in Gary, Indiana, has been a household name since she was a young girl. From being known as the youngest member of the famous Jackson family and her television beginnings as Penny on 'Good Times' to her decades-long career as an international superstar, look back at the impressive life and career of Janet Jackson.
As the youngest member of the famous Jackson family, Janet Jackson was born into the spotlight on May 16, 1966. She began her career in 1976 performing with his siblings on the variety show “The Jacksons.”
Janet Jackson posed with her brothers (l-r) Marlon, Michael, Tito, Randy and Jackie of The Jacksons during a publicity photoshoot after the band was signed to Epic Records, at Jackie Jackson’s home on Aug. 17, 1978, in Westlake Village, Calif.
Even at a young age, Janet Jackson was the definition of a triple threat. The singer, dancer and actress got her start in television on the sitcom “Good Times” in 1974 and then landed a recurring role on the popular show “Diff’rent Strokes” (pictured) in 1980.
Janet Jackson received a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 20, 1990, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.
Singer Janet Jackson was granted the Sammy Davis Jr. award backstage at the sixth annual Soul Train Music Awards show on March 10, 1992. Janet followed in her brother Michael’s footsteps, who received the award in 1989.
At the 35th Annual Grammy Awards, Janet Jackson presented her brother Michael Jackson with the Grammy Legend Award on Feb. 24, 1993.
Janet Jackson went topless on the cover of a scandalous Rolling Stone issue from Sept. 16, 1993. The cover, shot by Patrick Demarchelier, stirred up some controversy for its risque nature. The owner of the hands groping Jackson belonged to her then-husband René Elizondo, Jr.
In 1993, Janet Jackson starred opposite hip-hop legend Tupac in the film “Poetic Justice.” Although the film was not well received by critics, it was a box office hit, opening at #1.
Janet Jackson performed on July 7, 2001, at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. Portland was one of many stops on the Janet Jackson “All For You World Tour 2001.”
Janet Jackson earned the Award of Merit at the 28th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 8, 2001.
After Aaliyah’s tragic death, Janet Jackson paid tribute to the singer at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 6, 2001. Aaliyah died on Aug. 25, 2001, in a plane crash in the Bahamas.
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs presented Janet Jackson with an Artist Achievement Award on Dec. 4, 2001, at the 2001 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.
Singer Janet Jackson poses for photographers at the Vanity Fair Oscar party at Morton’s on March 24, 2002, in Los Angeles.
Janet Jackson poses for photographers after she presented an award during the 2nd Annual BET Awards on June 25, 2002, in Los Angeles.
Justin Timberlake ripped off Janet Jackson’s bustier to expose her bare chest to a collective viewing on 90 million at the 2004 Super Bowl. While the incident ended up costing CBS $550,000 in FCC fines, it also introduced “wardrobe malfunction” to the American lexicon. Due to the snafu, “wardrobe malfunction” was nominated for the 2004 “Word of the Year” by the American Dialect Society.
Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri arrive at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 13, 2005.
Singer Janet Jackson performs during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall on Sept. 13, 2009, in New York City.
Janet Jackson was honored with the Ultimate Icon: Music Dance Visual Award during the 2015 BET Awards on June 28, 2015. Dancers performed an elaborate tribute to the singer through a medley of her songs.
