Eric Benét facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eric Benét
Benét in 2008
Born	Eric Benét Jordan (1966-10-15) October 15, 1966 (age 58) Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Education	Bradley Tech School
Occupation	Singer-songwriter actor
Years active	1988–present
Spouse(s)	Halle Berry ​ ​ (m. 2001; div. 2005)​ Manuela Testolini ​ (m. 2011)​
Partner(s)	Tami Stauff (1988–1993; her death)
Children	3
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Origin	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Genres	R&B, soul, neo soul
Instruments	Vocals, piano, guitar, keyboards
Labels	Jordan House Primary Wave Music EMI Reprise Friday Warner Bros. Gerard
Associated acts	George Nash Jr. Lisa Jordan Somethin' For the People

Eric Benét Jordan (born October 15, 1966) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and actor. He is known for his soulful music. Eric Benét has been nominated for four Grammy Awards.

Early Life and Education

Eric Benét was born on October 15, 1966. His birthplace was Mobile, Alabama. He grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the youngest of five children.

From a young age, Eric loved music. His father was a police officer. He encouraged Eric to go to college. He wanted Eric to have a "stable" job. Eric graduated from Milwaukee Trade and Technical High School. He started college but later left to follow his dream in music.

Music Career

Eric Benét started his music journey in the late 1980s. He was part of a group called Gerard. Later, he formed a band with his sister Lisa and cousin George Nash Jr. This band was called Benét. In 1992, they released an album with their band's name. It sold over 100,000 copies!

Solo Albums and Hits

In 1994, Eric Benét signed with Warner Bros. Records. His first solo album, True to Myself, came out in 1996. Songs like "Spiritual Thang" and "Femininity" became popular R&B hits. "Let's Stay Together" was also a hit. It was featured in the movie A Thin Line Between Love and Hate.

His second album, A Day in the Life, was released in 1999. It included his huge hit song, "Spend My Life With You". This song reached number one on the US Billboard R&B charts. It stayed there for three weeks! The song was also nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000. The album won a Soul Train Music Award.

New Labels and More Success

Eric Benét worked with other artists too. In 2001, he recorded a song for Earth, Wind, and Fire's 30th anniversary CD. He wanted to try new music styles. His record label did not want him to change his music. So, he left Warner Bros. and signed with Reprise-distributed label Friday Records.

His third album, Hurricane, came out in 2005. The song "I Wanna Be Loved" was played a lot on the radio. It reached number two on the Urban Adult Contemporary chart.

His fourth album, Love & Life, was released in 2008. It was very successful. It reached number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. This was his highest chart position since A Day in the Life. The first song from the album, "You're the Only One," was a top 20 R&B hit.

In 2010, Eric Benét released his fifth album, Lost in Time. The song "Sometimes I Cry" became number one on the Hot Adult R&B Songs Chart. This album was a tribute to the soul music of the 1970s. It featured duets with Faith Evans, Chrisette Michelle, Ledisi, and Eddie Levert.

Starting His Own Label

On June 5, 2012, Benét released his album The One. This was the first album released on his own new record label. He named it Jordan House Records. He started this label with EMI. The song "Real Love" from The One was very popular.

In 2013, The One won him the SoulTracks Readers' Choice Award. He won for Best Male Vocalist. This album had three big hit songs: 'Runnin,' 'Real Love,' and 'Harriett Jones.'

In 2014, Eric Benét released an international album called The Other One. He also released an album of classic cover songs in Japan. It was titled From E to U, Vol. 1. In 2016, he released a new single called "Sunshine." His eighth studio album, Eric Benét, came out on October 7, 2016. It featured other artists like Tamia and MC Lyte.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Eric Benét started an online show. It was called Eric @fter Dark.

Acting Career

Besides music, Eric Benét has also been an actor.

TV Shows and Movies

He had a repeating role on the TV show For Your Love from 1998 to 2002. In 2001, he made his first movie appearance. It was in the film Glitter. He acted alongside singer Mariah Carey.

In 2005, he appeared on the show Half & Half. He played a character named Reece Wilcox. He also had a repeating role on the 2007 MTV show Kaya.

On July 9, 2011, Eric Benét's second movie, Trinity Goodheart, premiered. It was shown at the American Black Film Festival. It later aired on GMC. In 2013, Benét was a guest star on the TV show Real Husbands of Hollywood. He appeared with actors like Kevin Hart and Bobby Brown. In 2022, he was in the movie Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Story.

Personal Life

Eric Benét has three daughters. His oldest daughter, India Brianne Jordan, was born in 1991. India's mother, Tami Stauff, passed away in 1993.

Eric Benét married actress Halle Berry in January 2001. They later separated in 2003 and divorced in 2005.

On July 31, 2011, Eric Benét married Manuela Testolini. She is from Toronto. They have two daughters together. Their first daughter, Lucia Bella, was born in December 2011. Their second daughter, Amoura Luna, was born in July 2014.

Discography

Albums

• True to Myself (1996)
• A Day in the Life (1999)
• Hurricane (2005)
• Love & Life (2008)
• Lost in Time (2010)
• The One (2012)
• From E to U: Volume 1 (2014)
• Eric Benét (2016)

Awards and Nominations

Eric Benét has received several awards and nominations for his music and acting.

Black Reel Awards

Grammy Awards

NAACP Image Awards

See also

In Spanish: Eric Benét para niños