David Gest passed away today at age 62, and while he may be most famous for his short-lived marriage to Liza Minnelli, his skills as a producer and recent reality-TV career illustrate there was a lot more to Gest than his famous ex.

As the public mourns the loss—and waits for Minnelli to make a statement—we're acknowledging the hilarious pop culture moments Gest gave us.

The Michael Jackson 30th Anniversary Special

Gest produced the 2001 concert revue celebrating Jackson's career. The show featured performances by Usher, Mya, Whitney Houston, Gloria Estefan, the Jacksons, Destiny's Child, Minnelli, and Spears, among others. Tickets reportedly cost $10,000 and included a dinner with Jackson.

This would be the start of Gest and Minnelli's courtship and marked one of Jackson's last solo concerts.

Liza Minnelli's Early-2000s Comeback

After several health issues, Liza made a return to the stage in the Jackson revue, singing "You Are Not Alone" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." At the time, she told The View that it was Gest's "humor and his encouragement and his constantly reminding [her] that she was a champion" that helped her lose weight and get well enough to make a return to performing.

The Epic Wedding

Gest and Minnelli's nuptials at New York's Regent Hotel in 2002 were the making of a gay dream: Guests reportedly applauded for the bride's arrival in a Bob Mackie dress. (Ivory, not white.) Michael Jackson was David's best man while Elizabeth Taylor pulled matron of honor duties for Liza.

The 800-name guest list included Joan Collins, Roberta Flack, Dionne Warwick, Sally Jesse Raphael, Joy Behar, Chita Rivera, Rosie O'Donnell, and Diana Ross. The other Jackson brothers served as groomsmen and Natalie Cole performed at the event (reportedly after Whitney Houston canceled).

David's Strange Stories on "I'm A Celebrity...Me Out of Here"

After the marriage imploded, Gest used his notoriety to launch a career in reality TV. On the 2006 edition of UK's I'm A Celebrity..., David regaled castmates with strangely specific stories, like the one about his friend who opened a hotel "strictly for albinos."

David Does Liza Drag

Pantomime is big in the UK, and Gest was a good enough sport to dress up as Liza Minelli for a performance of the holiday show Twisted Carole in London in 2007.

Tiffany "New York" Pollard's "David's Dead" Moment On "Celebrity Big Brother"

When Angie Bowie learned that her ex, music icon David Bowie, died this year, she confided in Pollard. When the Flavor of Love star assumed she meant their fellow houseguest Gest, her animated shriek of "David's dead!" made headlines worldwide.

Gest was actually set to go on a "David Gest is Not Dead but Alive with Soul" tour in July.