Wylie Draper was a talented actor and dancer who rose to fame for his portrayal of the older Michael Jackson in the television miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream. He was born on May 5, 1969, in West Virginia, and died on December 20, 1993, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 24. His death shocked his fans and the entertainment industry, as he had a promising career ahead of him. What was the cause of his death and how did it affect his legacy? Here is a brief overview of his life and death.
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Wylie Draper’s Early Life and Career
Wylie Draper started dancing at a young age, and performed at local skating rinks with his brother Desmond. He also played football in high school, but switched his focus back to the arts in his sophomore year. He attended Point Park College to hone his craft, and worked as a lead dancer at Disney World and on Norwegian cruise lines.
He auditioned and won the role of adult Michael Jackson in the 1992 TV film The Jacksons: An American Dream, which chronicled the rise of the famous musical family. He impressed the critics and the viewers with his performance, especially his moonwalk at the Motown 25 performance of Billie Jean. He also won an Emmy award for his role.
He also had a small role in another TV film The Disappearance of Christina, and appeared as a dancer in Michael Jackson’s video Remember the Time and in the cable show The Red Shoe Diaries.
Wylie Draper’s Diagnosis and Death
In 1993, Wylie Draper was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia called acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), which is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). APL is characterized by abnormal white blood cells that interfere with normal blood cell production and function. It can cause bleeding, infections, anemia, and other complications.
According to WeAfrique, he was diagnosed with the disease just a few months before his death, in September 1993. It is not known how long he battled the illness or how he coped with it, but he passed away on December 20, 1993, in Los Angeles, California, with little media coverage at the time.
Wylie Draper’s Legacy and Tribute
Wylie Draper’s death was a tragic loss for his family, friends, fans, and the entertainment industry. He was a young man with a bright future and a lot of talent. He left behind a memorable performance as Michael Jackson, which is still considered one of the best portrayals of the late pop star.
After his death, his family established The Wylie Draper Foundation in celebration of his life. Its website states that the WDF supports young artists through an annual memorial scholarship in Wylie’s memory. It also raises awareness for bone marrow donation, especially in the African-American community.
Wylie Draper is also remembered by many fans who have created tribute pages on social media platforms such as Facebook and YouTube. His role as Michael Jackson has gained more attention after the death of Michael Jackson in 2009 and the subsequent showings of The Jacksons: An American Dream.
Wylie Draper was a remarkable actor and dancer who played Michael Jackson with passion and skill. His cause of death was a rare form of leukemia that took him away too soon. He will always be remembered for his contribution to the world of entertainment.
