"We lost a great entertainer and a pop icon. My thoughts and prayers go out to Michael Jackson's family, friends and fans," wrote California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Gravity singer John Mayer wrote,"I truly hope he is memorialised as the '83 moonwalking, MTV owning, mesmerising, unstoppable, invincible Michael Jackson. Dazed in the studio. A major strand of our cultural DNA has left us. RIP MJ."

Oscar winning actress Jane Fonda wrote,"I am stunned, my friend Michael Jackson is dead. he lived with me for a week on 'Golden Pond' set after Thriller."