Pianist and singer, Harry Connick Jr. is a young musician with a sound that is often compared to Frank Sinatra.
Born on September 11, 1967 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Joseph Harry Fowler Connick was a musical prodigy. His parents were both lawyers, but they owned a record store and encouraged their son’s interest in music. Connick started piano lessons at age 3, and joined a New Orleans jazz band at age 10.
At 18 he studied at New York’s Hunter College and later at the Manhattan School of Music. At 19 he released his first album for Columbia Records and began performing at the Algonquin’s Oak Room. The next year was followed by the release of his second album.
Connick’s career-defining moment, however, came when he wrote the score and sang several songs for the film When Harry Met Sally (1989). The soundtrack went multi-platinum.
In resurrecting swing and big band music, Connick earned one gold, four platinum, and three multi-platinum albums. He has also won two Grammies.
His film-acting debut was in the 1990 film Memphis Belle. He continued to act throughout the rest of the decade, and can be seen in such films as Copycat (1995) and Independence Day (1996).
Despite his passion for music, Connick’s acting bug took him all the way to the small screen. In 2002-03, he had a recurring role on NBC’s Will and Grace.
Today, Harry Connick Jr. lives in Connecticut with his wife and three daughters.