Friends and fellow entertainers have paid tribute to Jackson's global legacy [Reuters]

The sudden death of Michael Jackson at the age of 50 has brought tributes from across the entertainment world and elsewhere. Here are some of the reactions so far in quotes:

Rev Al Sharpton, US civil rights campaigner
"Michael Jackson made culture accept a person of colour way before Tiger Woods, way before Oprah Winfrey, way before Barack Obama. Michael did with music what they never did in sports, and in politics and in television. And no controversy will erase the historic impact… Michael Jackson was a trailblazer"

Madonna, pop singer
"I can't stop crying over the sad news… I have always admired Michael Jackson. The world has lost one of the greats but his music will live on forever. My heart goes out to his 3 children and other members of his family."

Quincy Jones, music producer who collaborated with Jackson albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad
"I am absolutely devastated at this tragic an unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at this young age, I just don't have the words… He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever.

Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of Elvis Presley and Jackson's former wife
"I am so very sad and confused with every emotion possible. I am heartbroken for his children who I know were everything to him and for his family. This is such a massive loss on so many levels.

Priscilla Presley, former wife of Elvis Presley
"I'm in shock, as I know everyone must be. What a tragic loss. My heartfelt thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time."

Brooke Shields, actress and long time friend of Jackson
"He was an extraordinary friend, artist and contributor to the world. I join his family and his fans in celebrating his incredible life and mourning his untimely passing."

Rudy Clay, mayor of Jackson's hometown, Gary, Indiana
"Wherever a person from Gary, Indiana, went in the world, people would say, 'That's Michael Jackson's home town.' So Michael helped Gary just by being from Gary."

Flava Flav, rap artist and Jackson family friend
"Music has lost a king, music has lost an icon, music has lost a friend… It's unbelievable, but we don't have any choice but to believe it."

Arnold Schwarzenegger, California governor
"Michael was a pop phenomenon who never stopped pushing the envelope of creativity. Though there were serious questions about his personal life, Michael was undoubtedly a great entertainer and his popularity spanned generations and the globe."

Dionne Warwick, singer and Jackson's friend
"We have lost an icon in our industry and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family and children in this hour of sorrow that they are now going through. He will live on in my memory and most definitely through the music he shared with so many."

Michael Levine, publicist who represented Jackson during 1993 child molestation charges
"I must confess I am not surprised by today's tragic news. Michael has been on an impossibly difficult and often self-destructive journey for years. His talent was unquestionable but so too was his discomfort with the norms of the world. A human simply cannot withstand this level of prolonged stress."

Uri Geller, close friend of Jackson
"I’m just devastated, very very sad. I pray that his soul is up there now … I’m still trying to hold on to the glimmer that it is not true. It is too surreal for me to absorb that Michael is no longer with us."

John Landis, director of the Thriller music video
"He was an extraordinary talent and a truly great international star."