Janet Damita Jo Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana to Katherine and Joseph Jackson. She is the ninth and final child of the family who soon move to California when her five older brothers find success with their musical group The Jackson 5.
After the popularity of the Jackson 5 begin to decline, Joseph Jackson rounds up all nine of his children to star in a variety show which airs on ABC. The show features Janet and all of her siblings dancing and singing to musical sketches.
After being asked by Norman Leer to audition, Janet gains the role of Penny on the hit sitcom Good Times during the sitcom's fifth season on the air. Only eleven years old at the time, Janet earns the respect of critics as she plays the child of an abusive mother. Janet stays on through the show's sixth season until it ends in 1979.
