Michael Jackson Manager Frank DiLeo Dies

08/25/2011
. (Gibson) Music industry figure Frank DiLeo, who managed Michael Jackson and worked with some of music's biggest stars, has died. The Nashville Scene reports that a family friend broke the news that DiLeo died Wednesday morning in his Ohio home. He had suffered a recent heart attack. DiLeo was 63.

DiLeo worked his way from the bottom of the music business all the way to the top. While with Epic Records, DiLeo helped sign and develop the careers of The Clash, Quiet Riot, REO Speedwagon, Cyndi Lauper and Culture Club � in addition to his work with the King of Pop. DiLeo managed Jackson during the '80s, and again at the end of his career, before the star's death in 2009. He also managed Richie Sambora and worked with Prince many times.

Frank's outsized persona turned out to be a perfect fit for the film world, and he acted in a few major motion pictures, including both Wayne's World movies (as Frankie "Mr. Big" Sharp) and 1995's Kiss of Death. His most famous role was as Tuddy Cicero in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas. more on this story

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