Harry Connick Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Harry Connick Jr.
Connick in 2023 / Photo by Georgia Connick
Born	Joseph Harry Fowler Connick Jr. (1967-09-11) September 11, 1967 (age 57) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Occupation	Singer composer actor television host
Years active	1977–present
Spouse(s)	Jill Goodacre ​ (m. 1994)​
Children	3
Parent(s)	Harry Connick Sr. (father)
Musical career
Genres	Traditional pop easy listening big band jazz-funk jazz show tunes swing blue-eyed soul
Instruments	Vocals piano
Labels	Columbia Records Verve Marsalis Music

Harry Connick Jr. (born September 11, 1967) is a famous American singer, pianist, composer, and actor. He has also hosted TV shows. He is known for his smooth voice and amazing piano skills.

Harry Connick Jr. has sold over 30 million records around the world. He is one of the top-selling male artists in the United States. He has had many popular albums, including ten number-one jazz albums. This means he has more number-one jazz albums than any other artist in U.S. jazz history!

His best-selling album in the U.S. is his Christmas album, When My Heart Finds Christmas (1993). His album Only You (2004) was also very popular, reaching the top 5 in the U.S. and top 6 in Britain. Harry has won three Grammy Awards for his music and two Emmy Awards for his TV work. You might also know him from the TV show Will & Grace, where he played Leo Markus.

Harry Connick Jr. started his acting career in the World War II movie Memphis Belle (1990). He later starred in movies like Hope Floats (1998) with Sandra Bullock. He also voiced a character in the animated movie The Iron Giant (1999). He has appeared in many other films, including Dolphin Tale (2011) and its sequel.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Harry Connick Jr. grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. His mother was a lawyer and judge, and his father was a district attorney. His parents also owned a record store, which probably helped him love music!

Harry started playing the keyboard when he was only three years old. He performed in public by age five and recorded with a jazz band at age ten. When he was nine, he played a difficult piano piece with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra. He also played a duet with famous jazz pianist Eubie Blake.

He went to several schools in New Orleans, including the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. He also studied music in New York City. There, he met a record executive who helped him sign with Columbia Records. His first album, Harry Connick Jr., was mostly instrumental jazz. His second album, 20, featured his singing and made him even more famous in the jazz world.

Music and Movie Career Highlights

Early Success with When Harry Met Sally...

Harry Connick Jr. became very well-known when director Rob Reiner asked him to create the soundtrack for the movie When Harry Met Sally... (1989). This movie starred Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. The soundtrack included classic songs like "It Had to Be You". It sold millions of copies in the U.S. Harry won his first Grammy Award for his work on this soundtrack.

In 1990, Harry made his acting debut in the movie Memphis Belle. That same year, he released two more successful albums: Lofty's Roach Souffle and We Are in Love. We Are in Love also sold millions and earned him another Grammy Award.

He was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his song in The Godfather III soundtrack in 1991. He also released his third multi-platinum album, Blue Light, Red Light, where he wrote all the songs. He acted in the movie Little Man Tate, directed by Jodie Foster.

In 1992, he released 25, a solo piano album. His Christmas album, When My Heart Finds Christmas (1993), was the best-selling Christmas album that year.

Exploring New Music Styles

In 1994, Harry tried something different. He released She, an album with a New Orleans funk sound. This album also sold very well. He also sang "(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name" for The Mask movie soundtrack, which was his most popular single.

He toured the United Kingdom with his funk music, which was a surprise to some fans who expected his usual jazz style. He also toured China in 1995. In 1996, he released another funk album, Star Turtle. That same year, he appeared in the blockbuster movie Independence Day with Will Smith.

Later Jazz and Acting Roles

For his 1997 album To See You, Harry recorded original love songs. He toured with a full symphony orchestra. He also continued acting, starring in Excess Baggage (1997).

In 1998, he had his first main role in the movie Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock. In 1999, he released Come By Me, his first big band album in eight years, and went on a world tour. He also voiced a character in the animated film The Iron Giant.

Broadway, TV, and More Music

Broadway Debut and Will & Grace

Harry Connick Jr. wrote the music for the Broadway musical Thou Shalt Not in 2000. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his music and lyrics. He also narrated the film My Dog Skip.

In 2001, he starred in a TV version of South Pacific. He also released two albums: Songs I Heard, which had big band versions of children's show songs, and 30. Songs I Heard won him another Grammy Award.

From 2002 to 2006, Harry played Leo Markus, the husband of Grace Adler, on the popular TV show Will & Grace.

Connick on Piano and Only You

In 2003, Harry released Other Hours Connick on Piano Volume 1, his first instrumental album in 15 years. He also released his second Christmas album, Harry for the Holidays, which became very popular.

His album Only You, released in 2004, was a collection of classic songs from the 1950s and 1960s. It was a top ten hit in both the U.S. and Europe. A TV special based on this album won him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction.

In 2005, Harry created an animated holiday special called The Happy Elf, based on his song. He was the composer, narrator, and a producer for the show. He also released another piano album, Occasion : Connick on Piano, Volume 2, with Branford Marsalis.

Broadway, Films, and New Albums

Harry starred in the Broadway show The Pajama Game in 2006. His performance was highly praised. He also appeared in the film Bug (2007) and P.S. I Love You (2007).

In 2007, he released two albums, Chanson du Vieux Carré and Oh, My NOLA, and toured the world. He also sang at a concert for Pope Benedict XVI in 2008. His third Christmas album, What a Night!, came out in 2008.

Recent Work

In 2009, Harry starred with Renée Zellweger in the movie New in Town. He also released the album Your Songs. He returned to Broadway in 2011 for the musical On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.

From 2014 to 2016, Harry was a judge on the popular TV show American Idol. He also had his own daytime talk show called Harry from 2016 to 2018.

In 2019, he released an album of Cole Porter songs called True Love: A Celebration of Cole Porter. He also brought a special show celebrating Cole Porter to Broadway.

During the 2020 pandemic, Harry recorded a new album called Alone With My Faith (2021) in his home studio. He played all the instruments and sang all the parts himself. This album earned him another Grammy nomination. In 2021, he played Daddy Warbucks in the TV musical Annie Live!. In 2023, he became a judge on Australian Idol.

Harry Connick Jr. and New Orleans

Harry Connick Junior at the New Orleans Jazz Fest 2007

Harry Connick Jr. is from New Orleans, Louisiana, and he loves his hometown. He helped start the Krewe of Orpheus, which is a music-themed parade group in New Orleans. They have parades during the famous Mardi Gras celebrations.

After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, Harry helped organize a live TV concert to raise money for relief efforts. He also visited the city to show people how much help was needed. He became the honorary chair for Habitat for Humanity's plan to rebuild homes for families affected by the hurricane. His efforts earned him an award for public service.

Musicians' Village

Musicians' Village in New Orleans, August 20, 2007

Harry Connick Jr. and fellow musician Branford Marsalis came up with a great idea to help New Orleans' music community. They worked with Habitat for Humanity to create a "Musicians' Village." This village includes homes built by Habitat for musicians and others who need affordable housing. It also has the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, which is a special place for music education and performances.

For their work on the Musicians' Village, Harry and Branford received an award for public service in 2012.

Personal Life

Harry Connick Jr. is married to former model Jill Goodacre. They got married in New Orleans in 1994. They have three daughters named Georgia, Sarah, and Charlotte.

Harry is a Catholic, and he also connects with his Jewish heritage. He is a big fan of his hometown football team, the New Orleans Saints. He was seen celebrating when the Saints won the Super Bowl XLIV in 2010!

In 2011, Harry wrote a song called "A Lot Like Me" for his daughter Sarah, who released it under the name Kate Connick. The money from the song went to the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music in New Orleans.

Discography

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Appearances

Broadway Shows

• 1990 An Evening with Harry Connick Jr. and His Orchestra (concert)
• 2001 Thou Shalt Not (Broadway Musical) – he wrote the music
• 2006 The Pajama Game (Broadway Musical) – he starred in it
• 2010 Harry Connick Jr.: In Concert on Broadway (concert)
• 2011 On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (Broadway Musical) – he starred in it
• 2019 Harry Connick, Jr. - A Celebration of Cole Porter (concert)

See also

In Spanish: Harry Connick, Jr. para niños