The Hindu : International : 'Brando was close to Jackson'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Sep 26, 2004

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International

'Brando was close to Jackson'

New York: The personal life of the intensely private actor Marlon Brando remained largely mysterious until his death from lung failure in July, at the age of 80. But now it has emerged that he spent his ailing final years developing the unlikeliest of friendships — with Michael Jackson, whose Neverland Ranch he came to consider a second home. The details have been made public as Brando's friends and business associates begin staking claims on his estate, which is valued at $21.6 million despite a widespread belief before his death that he was almost destitute. The star of "On The Waterfront" and the "Godfather" counted Mr. Jackson as one of his closest friends and put in long stays at Neverland Ranch in Santa Ynez Valley, in central California, where the alleged child abuse for which Mr. Jackson is currently facing trial allegedly took place. Brando's son, Miko, worked as a security guard at the ranch, on which Mr. Jackson has built his own amusement park, zoo and railway. ``The last time my father left his house to go anywhere, to spend any kind of time, it was with Michael Jackson,'' Miko Brando told the Los Angeles Times.

Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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