The heartbreaking saga of the star-crossed Jackson family added a new page With Paris Jackson's suicide attempt last week. Those who knew him well recall how recall Michael Jackson so badly wanted to be a good parent to his children, to bestow love on them and give them the sheltered, nurturing environment he never had — but his personal weaknesses overcame him. It's been four years now since his death, and his children have been buffeted by waves of family infighting, legal hassles and the detritus of fame ever since. Paris, Michael's only daughter, is currently part of the multi-million dollar lawsuit against the concert promoters AEG Live, which the Jackson family claims bears responsibility for her father's death from an accidental drug overdose in June 2009.

Without question, Michael's father, Joe Jackson, ranks among the worst celebrity fathers. Out to live well while mining the legacy of his genius offspring until there is no more, he continues to show up in high-profile places. Recently, it was the Cannes Film Festival, for parties including the official, 300-guest "Jackson Family Foundation Party."

Michael, you may recall, pointedly left him out of his still-being-contested will and cried publicly when describing how his father had whipped him on his back, bullied and otherwise abused him. After Michael died, father Joe was quick to claim he was entitled to part of the estate, saying he had living expenses of $20,000 a month and no income of his own.

Sadly, the Jackson clan is hardly alone when it comes to patriarchal awfulness in the show business realm. Of course, there've been others through the years. Stage fathers like Macaulay Culkin's dad, Kit, whose demands and attitude turned Hollywood off — and Bob Carter, father of pop heartthrobs Nick and Aaron, leave bad memories. Murry Wilson's emotionally abusive ways with his talented sons, who were to become known as one of America's greatest bands, have been chronicled time and again, notably in the acclaimed made-for-television movie, "The Beach Boys: An American Family."

The train wreck that is Michael Lohan and daughter Lindsay's relationship seems unending. Would anyone know who this media-mongering ex-convict was if it weren't for his using his once-talented offspring as a springboard to fame of his own? Among his most egregious acts: releasing tapes of her that disclosed her relationship with the late Heath Ledger and confirmed suspicions of her self-harm, and included Lindsay crying and sobbing that no one cared about her. Now, the TMZ regular is claiming that all of Lindsay's troubles stem from her time with Samantha Ronson. Someone buy this man a mirror.

Sometimes, it's the celebs themselves who are awful. Like Ryan O'Neal, who reportedly pulled a gun on his son Griffin and fired a "gentlemanly" warning shot. He knocked out Griffin's two front teeth. He also reportedly put daughter Tatum on a "cocaine diet" to keep her slim and berated her for cutting the wrong way when she had a failed attempt at suicide.

Woody Allen went after the 35-years-younger adopted daughter of his then-companion, Mia Farrow. He and Soon-Yi are still together, but family wounds from their scandalous beginning have never healed.

The late Tony Curtis did drugs with daughter Jamie Lee.

If you have a good dad, be sure to tell him you appreciate him.