Richard Blackie
Encyclopedia
Richard Blackie was a colourful but tragic Sydney character best known for his uncanny resemblance to Michael Jackson
and for gathering one of Australia's largest collections of antique and vintage toys, comics and television & movie memorabilia for his lifelong ambition to create a toy museum.
Richard certainly had surgery, as he was quite dark in primary and high school, and later mirrored Michael Jacksons own change in skin tone. He was a lovely kid in primary school, though we could all see he wasn't well cared for.
Unfortunately, Richard's life in Brisbane was overshadowed by Michael Jackson's public antics and legal allegations and the public lashed out at Richard because of his resemblance. In 1994 after Michael Jackson had been accused of molesting a child, Richard's impersonation life took a turn for the worse because members of the public took out their anger with Michael Jackson on Richard. Woman's Day reports that Richard was called names such as "child molester" and "faggot" in the street and he had even been punched by a nightclub DJ who accused him of being a paedophile and smashed seven of his teeth, leaving Richard hospitalised for the night. It was in 1994 that Richard's anxiety set in permanently as venues stopped booking him, the threats increased and he was prescribed anti-depressants to the point where he overdosed on them. Richard stated that the Jackson scandal "wrecked my life. I walk down the street carrying the face of a wanted man. It's like being Jack the Ripper..." The fragility of his nose after the operation (doctors had told him that one punch could shatter his nose through his brain) was an added factor in inducing anxiety and causing Richard to become a recluse. It was this that ultimately led to him collecting his toys because staying inside left him feeling safe.
Seventeen year-old filmmaker, Maya Newell, enters the inner sanctum of Richard Blackie’s extraordinary, utterly bizarre toyshop. Striking up a curious relationship with the 41-year-old toy dealer, collector and ex-Michael Jackson impersonator, Maya is given permission to document the life of this most private of private characters, and the obsessions that drive him.
. Police were unable to trace any relatives, even though Richard often talked about his mother and a sister. He also spoke of a girlfriend who no one ever saw. Richard's body lay unclaimed in the City Morgue in Glebe for 3 months until a group of friends and a benefactor saved Richard the indignity of a pauper's burial in an unmarked grave. Richard was cremated on 8 September 2006 in a small ceremony attended by approximately 25 people at the Rookwood Gardens Crematorium.
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
and for gathering one of Australia's largest collections of antique and vintage toys, comics and television & movie memorabilia for his lifelong ambition to create a toy museum.
Early life
It is assumed that Richard was born in Queensland. Richard was taken away from his parents as a child due to abuse. His childhood was spent as a ward of the State, living in many foster homes. He attended Virginia orphanage and Virginia State Primary School on Brisbane's northside from 1971–1977, then went to Banyo State High school. Richard attended Sandgate District State High as well, finishing his schooling there. A quiet and reserved child, he spent time with his first girlfriend helping out her grandfather's homing pigeons until she felt he "started getting too protective and demanding".Michael Jackson Impersonator
Richard has stated to some sources that he has never had surgery. However, in a 1994 interview with Woman's Day, Richard explained that he had paid $3000 and spent five hours undergoing surgery to match his face with that of Michael Jackson's and that he had also had eight operations to inject permanent dark skin pigment to line his eyes and eyebrows. Richard often worked as an impersonator at various venues, including shopping malls and on television. He said he had once appeared on a television talk show as Michael Jackson, when Jackson himself had cancelled at the last minute for security reasons. He appeared on the Ray Martin Midday Show in the 90's.Richard certainly had surgery, as he was quite dark in primary and high school, and later mirrored Michael Jacksons own change in skin tone. He was a lovely kid in primary school, though we could all see he wasn't well cared for.
Unfortunately, Richard's life in Brisbane was overshadowed by Michael Jackson's public antics and legal allegations and the public lashed out at Richard because of his resemblance. In 1994 after Michael Jackson had been accused of molesting a child, Richard's impersonation life took a turn for the worse because members of the public took out their anger with Michael Jackson on Richard. Woman's Day reports that Richard was called names such as "child molester" and "faggot" in the street and he had even been punched by a nightclub DJ who accused him of being a paedophile and smashed seven of his teeth, leaving Richard hospitalised for the night. It was in 1994 that Richard's anxiety set in permanently as venues stopped booking him, the threats increased and he was prescribed anti-depressants to the point where he overdosed on them. Richard stated that the Jackson scandal "wrecked my life. I walk down the street carrying the face of a wanted man. It's like being Jack the Ripper..." The fragility of his nose after the operation (doctors had told him that one punch could shatter his nose through his brain) was an added factor in inducing anxiety and causing Richard to become a recluse. It was this that ultimately led to him collecting his toys because staying inside left him feeling safe.
Richard's Dream - a Toy Museum
The massive collection of toys and memorabilia that Richard collected over a 20 year period was impressive. "I've been called upon to round up all the old toys in the world," Richard declared in an interview with the SMH. His lifelong obsession was to open a toy museum. His friends have suggested that his obsession grew out of a childhood deprived of love and toys.Documentary titled "Richard: "The Most Interestingest Person I’ve Ever Met"
In 2006, film student Maya Newell produced a 51 minute documentary titled "Richard : The Most Interestingest Person I’ve Ever Met" which premiered at Cannes Market Du Film in 2007.Seventeen year-old filmmaker, Maya Newell, enters the inner sanctum of Richard Blackie’s extraordinary, utterly bizarre toyshop. Striking up a curious relationship with the 41-year-old toy dealer, collector and ex-Michael Jackson impersonator, Maya is given permission to document the life of this most private of private characters, and the obsessions that drive him.
Death
In 27 May 2006, Richard was found dead in his Petersham shop, his death attributed to suicideSuicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
. Police were unable to trace any relatives, even though Richard often talked about his mother and a sister. He also spoke of a girlfriend who no one ever saw. Richard's body lay unclaimed in the City Morgue in Glebe for 3 months until a group of friends and a benefactor saved Richard the indignity of a pauper's burial in an unmarked grave. Richard was cremated on 8 September 2006 in a small ceremony attended by approximately 25 people at the Rookwood Gardens Crematorium.