• Celebrity
    • OTE – Screen Kings
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS MEET

Sign up for ESSENCE Newsletters the keep the Black women at the forefront of conversation.

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
Select the newsletters you'd like to receive:
Please select at least one option.
By clicking Subscribe Now, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • OTE – Screen Kings
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Best In Black Beauty 2023
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 Wellness House
    • 2023 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2023 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Entertainment

Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson's Iconic 'Thriller'

By Starrene Rhett Rocque · Updated October 24, 2020

The Thriller album is 35!

Michael Jackson’s iconic album was originally released on Nov. 30, 1982 and pop culture is still feeling its effects.

The sound and visuals were unprecedented at the time and continues to influence artists decades later. But, where are the creative minds behind the original today? Let’s find out!

01
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson unfortunately passed away in 2009 but his birth on August 29 is still one to celebrate.
Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

Getty Images

02
Rod Temperton

The singer/songwriter, formerly of Heatwave, wrote several of Michael Jackson’s hits including, “Thriller,” “Baby Be Mine” and “The Lady in My Life” from the same album. He is responsible for coming up with the title for the album, which was initially going to be called “Starlight.” Temperton has also written for other iconic artists like George Benson, Quincy Jones, and more. He passed away in 2016.

Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

David M. Benett/Getty Images

03
Bob Giraldi

Giraldi is most known for directing the “Beat it” video. He continued his career as a director and executive producer, and most recently executive produced a short entitled, Desde el Principio.

Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

Desiree Navarro/Getty Images

04
Steve Barron

After directing the “Billie Jean” video, Barron continued his directing career with credits like Coneheads, Michael Jackson: Number Ones, Bowie: The Video Collection, and Supervized, set to come out in 2018.

Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

05
Vincent Price

Price was already an accomplished actor before narrating “Thriller” and continued his voiceover and narration career after until his death in 1993, at age 82.

Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

John Springer Collection/Getty Images

06
Steve Porcaro

Porcaro composed music for “Human Nature” and produced the synthesizer for “The Girl is Mine.” He also played synthesizer and keyboard on “Stranger in Moscow” from Jackson’s HIStory album and released his first body of solo work, Someday/Somehow, in June 2016.

Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

Michael Schwartz/Getty Images

07
Michael De Lorenzo

De Lorenzo appeared as a zombie in the “Thriller” video and also danced in “Beat it.” But, you may know him best as detective Torres from New York Undercover. He was last seen as Charlie Grissom in Johnny Gruesome, a 2017 horror release based on the award-winning novel by Gregory Lamberson.  

Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

08
Michael Peters

Peters choreographed and played a gang member in “Beat It.” He also choreographed “Thriller.” Peters continued his outstanding choreography career, winning a Tony and a Primetime Emmy for his work with Dreamgirls and more. Unfortunately, he died of complications related to AIDS in 1994.

Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

Ron Galella/Getty Images

09
John Landis

The “Thriller” video director has had a flourishing career with credits like Blues Brothers 2000 and Beverly Hills Cop III under his belt. His last project according to IMDB was a 2015 short entitled, The Last Kill.

Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

10
Paul McCartney

Paul McCartney musically sparred with Michael Jackson in “The Girl is Mine.” McCartney is still well and making music. He is one out of two living Beatles.

Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/Getty Images

11
Ola Ray

The former Playboy Model is most know for starring alongside Michael Jackson as his girlfriend in the “Thriller” video. Ray filed a lawsuit against Jackson’s estate in May 2009, claiming she wasn’t properly compensated for her appearance in the video. According to TMZ, the suit was settled with the estate. She earned a reported $55,000 before legal fees. Today, Ray has laid low from the spotlight, but she is said to live in Sacramento with her daughter.

Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

12
Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones turns 85 on March 14.

Where Are They Now? The People Behind Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’

Earl Gibson III/Getty Images

COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now