A friend told me it's illegal to reference Michael Jackson in a work of mine. Is this true?

I have an absurd web series in progress, and one of the villains in it is an evil robotic clone of Michael Jackson. (Although it's poked fun at, there are no outright pedophilia references. I'm one of those people who respects MJ.)





Anyway, a friend told me that it's illegal to make references to the man since he died relatively recently. I need somebody with knowledge of this sort of thing to ascertain the truth or falsehood of his statement. Thanks in advance.A friend told me it's illegal to reference Michael Jackson in a work of mine. Is this true?
Your friend is an idiot. Ever watch 'Family Guy?' You can reference anyone, alive or dead, and say whatever you want (as long as it's true). If you make fun of someone, then you can use his own material against him (satire). Just do whatever you want; no one is going to come after you.A friend told me it's illegal to reference Michael Jackson in a work of mine. Is this true?
There is nothing illegal about referencing a historical figure.





In addition because he has died any defamation suit on his behalf would fail since defamation only protects the reputations of the living.





However,if it reflects upon his family to damage their personal reputation that's different (as though he hasn't already done that)
Leave it alone...it doesn't take a genius to see that MJ has made more money now that he is gone than when he was alive...now that there IS money, you will be sued. Just leave it alone. MJ will make money for another 40 years, too, look at Elvis.