David Gest: Producer, Friend of Michael Jackson, Found Dead in London Hotel

Gest planned a UK tour for the summer of 2016 called “David Gest Is Not Dead, But Alive With Soul,” a musical.
David Gest: Producer, Friend of Michael Jackson, Found Dead in London Hotel
U.S. music producer David Gest poses with some of his collection of entertainment memorabilia at an auction house in London on Nov. 21, 2007. Music producer David Gest, ex-husband of Liza Minnelli, died Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 62. (AP Photo/Sang Tan, file)
4/12/2016
Updated:
4/13/2016

62-year-old David Gest has been found dead in a London hotel, according to the Metropolitan Police force.

Gest’s friend Imad Handi confirmed his death, remembering him as “a natural star and a genuine celebrity.”

He was found around 10 a.m. on April 12, in the 5-star Four Seasons hotel.

Born in the United Sates, Gest married Liza Minelli in 2002, and was good friends with Michael Jackson–who was his best man at the wedding, Elizabeth Taylor was the maid of honor.

The pair split just one year later in 2003, and were officially divorced in 2007.

In 2011, Gest produced a documentary about Jackson titled: “Michael Jackson: The Life of an Icon.”

Gest’s notoriety recently peaked after an appearance on the reality TV show “Celebrity Big Brother,” which he left after a short time due to complications with his health.

Gest had planned a U.K. tour over the summer of 2016 called “David Gest Is Not Dead, But Alive With Soul,” a musical.

His cause of death is currently unknown and under investigation. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.