Michael Jackson Family Deny Mark Lester Paternity Claims
The British actor who starred in ‘Oliver!’ claims that Jackson asked him to become a sperm donor in March 1996
By Rachel Helyer Donaldson FIRST POSTED AUGUST 10, 2009
Michael Jackson's family have angrily dismissed claims by the British actor Mark Lester that he may be the father of the singer's 11-year-old daughter Paris, accusing him of playing a "genetic lottery" in an attempt to stake a claim on the singer's multi-million pound fortune.
Lester, star of the 1968 musical film Oliver!, told the News of the World that Jackson had asked him to become a sperm donor in March 1996. In a podcast posted on the newspaper's website yesterday, the former child actor said his sperm was taken at London's Harley Clinic: "I believe that Paris could be my daughter and I would be willing to take a paternity test." No money was taken, he added. "It was a gift to him... it was something I was honoured to do. He wanted children so badly."
Paris, who described Jackson as the "best father you could ever imagine" at his memorial, is Jackson’s second child, born in
April 1998. Her mother is believed to be Debbie Rowe, Jackson's former wife and dermatology nurse.
Lester, now 51, has three daughters and a son of his own and claims there is a "very strong resemblance" between Paris and his 15-year-old daughter Harriet. "Paris has blue eyes and pale complexion and high cheekbones," the actor said. "My girls all have very similar features and it has been commented many times how similar Harriet and Paris are."
In response, a lawyer for Jackson's mother Katherine, who has custody of the three children - Paris and her brothers 12-year-old Prince Michael and Prince Michael II, aged seven - has attacked Lester's claim. Family lawyer Londell McMillan said it had "no merit" and that Lester was simply bidding for "five seconds of fame". He added: "These genetic lottery attempts aren't going anywhere. They have no legal standing."
Meanwhile Jackson's brother Jermaine said the three children were "definitely" Michael's. "People say things just to get attention, but... you can look at the kids and tell that they are Michael's kids."
Lester, like Jackson, was a child star. After playing the lead in Oliver! aged 10, he received critical acclaim for his 1969 portrayal of a dysfunctional child in Run Wild, Run Free. But he gave up acting at 19 and is now an osteopath. He had known Jackson since 1981 and calls himself godfather to the late singer's three children.
The First Post / Thanks Joy C!