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

Joseph Harry Fowler Connick Jr. (born September 11, 1967) is a talented American singer, piano player, composer, actor, and former TV host. He has sold over 30 million records around the world. Harry Connick Jr. is one of the top-selling male artists in the United States. He has had many successful albums, including ten number-one jazz albums. This means he has had more number-one jazz albums than any other artist in U.S. jazz chart history.

His best-selling album in the U.S. is his Christmas album When My Heart Finds Christmas (1993). His album Only You (2004) reached No. 5 in the U.S. and No. 6 in Britain. He has won three Grammy Awards for his music and two Emmy Awards for his TV work. He also played Leo Markus on the popular TV show Will & Grace from 2002 to 2006.

Harry Connick Jr. started acting in the World War II movie Memphis Belle (1990). He played a fighter pilot in the big movie Independence Day (1996). His first main role was in Hope Floats (1998) with Sandra Bullock. He also voiced a character in the animated film The Iron Giant (1999). He appeared in family films like Dolphin Tale (2011) and its sequel Dolphin Tale 2 (2014).

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Harry Connick Jr. grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. His mother was a lawyer and judge, and his father, Harry Connick Sr., was a district attorney. His parents also owned a record store. Harry started playing keyboards when he was only three years old. He performed publicly at age five and recorded with a local jazz band by the time he was ten. When he was nine, he played a Beethoven piano concerto with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra.

He also played a duet with the famous musician Eubie Blake in New Orleans. Harry's musical skills grew with the help of teachers like Ellis Marsalis Jr. and James Booker. He went to several schools in New Orleans, including the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts.

Later, he moved to New York City to study music. There, he met George Butler from Columbia Records, who signed him to the label. His first album, Harry Connick Jr. (1987), was mostly instrumental jazz. He quickly became known in the jazz world for his performances in New York. His next album, 20 (1988), included his singing and became very popular.

Music and Movie Career

When Harry Met Sally... and Early Success

Harry Connick Jr.'s fame grew, and director Rob Reiner asked him to create the soundtrack for his romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally... (1989). The soundtrack featured classic songs like "It Had to Be You." It sold millions of copies in the U.S. Harry won his first Grammy Award for this soundtrack.

He made his acting debut in the movie Memphis Belle (1990), which was about a bomber crew in World War II. In 1990, he released two more successful albums: Lofty's Roach Souffle (an instrumental jazz album) and We Are in Love (a big-band album with original songs). We Are in Love also sold millions and earned him another Grammy Award.

His song "Promise Me You'll Remember" from the Godfather III soundtrack was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award in 1991. He also received an Emmy Award nomination for his PBS special Swingin' Out Live. In October 1991, he released Blue Light, Red Light, an album where he wrote and arranged all the songs. He also acted in the movie Little Man Tate, directed by Jodie Foster.

In 1992, Harry released 25, a piano collection of classic songs. He also re-released his earlier album Eleven. He contributed the song "A Wink and a Smile" to the Sleepless in Seattle soundtrack in 1993. His Christmas album, When My Heart Finds Christmas, was the best-selling Christmas album of 1993.

Exploring New Music Styles

In 1994, Harry Connick Jr. tried something new. He released She, an album with a New Orleans funk sound, which also sold very well. He also released a song called "(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name" for the movie The Mask, starring Jim Carrey. This song became his most successful single in the U.S.

He toured the United Kingdom with his funk music in 1994. In 1995, he toured China, performing in Shanghai. His third movie was Copycat (1995). The next year, he released another funk album, Star Turtle. He also appeared in the very successful movie Independence Day (1996) with Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum.

Later 1990s: Return to Jazz and Leading Roles

For his 1997 album To See You, Harry Connick Jr. recorded original love songs. He toured the U.S. and Europe with a full symphony orchestra. He also continued his acting career in Excess Baggage (1997).

In May 1998, he had his first main role in the movie Hope Floats, starring alongside 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 lent his voice to the animated film The Iron Giant.

2000s: Broadway, TV, and More Music

Harry Connick Jr. wrote the music for the Broadway musical Thou Shalt Not in 2000, which earned him a Tony Award nomination. He was also the narrator for the film My Dog Skip.

In 2001, he starred in a TV production of South Pacific with Glenn Close. He also released two albums: Songs I Heard, which featured big band versions of children's show themes, and 30. Songs I Heard won him a Grammy Award. From 2002 to 2006, he played Leo Markus on the TV show Will & Grace.

In 2003, he 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 sold very well. In 2004, his album Only You, a collection of 1950s and 1960s songs, was a top ten hit. A concert DVD, Harry Connick Jr.‍—‌"Only You" in Concert, won him an Emmy Award.

In 2005, he was the composer and narrator for the animated holiday special The Happy Elf, based on his song. He also released Occasion : Connick on Piano, Volume 2, a piano duet album with Branford Marsalis.

Mid-2000s: Broadway and Films

Harry Connick Jr. starred in the Broadway show The Pajama Game in 2006, and 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 North America and Europe. He also starred in the TV film Living Proof (2008). His third Christmas album, What a Night!, came out in 2008.

2009-2011: New Projects

The film New in Town, starring Harry Connick Jr. and Renée Zellweger, was released in 2009. His album Your Songs was released in September 2009. He also starred in the Broadway show On a Clear Day You Can See Forever in 2011.

He appeared on American Idol in 2010 as a mentor for the finalists. In 2011, he acted in the family movie Dolphin Tale as Dr. Clay Haskett, and later in its sequel.

2012-Present: TV Host and Judge

In 2012, Harry Connick Jr. had a role in the TV show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In 2013, he released Every Man Should Know, an album of all original music. He returned to American Idol as a mentor and then became a judge for seasons 13, 14, and 15 (2014-2016).

He starred in the family Christmas movie Angels Sing (2013) with Willie Nelson. From 2016 to 2018, he hosted his own daytime talk show called Harry, which earned him two Daytime Emmy nominations.

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

In 2021, Harry released Alone With My Faith, an album he recorded at home during the pandemic. He played all the instruments and sang all the parts himself. This album earned him a Grammy nomination. He also joined the cast of Annie Live! as Daddy Warbucks in December 2021.

More recently, Harry Connick Jr. was a judge on the 2023 revival of Australian Idol. He is also a judge on the Australian version of The Piano, which was released in 2025. In 2024, he starred as John Allman in the Netflix movie Find Me Falling.

Harry Connick Jr. and New Orleans

Harry Connick Jr. at the New Orleans Jazz Fest 2007

Harry Connick Jr. is from New Orleans and loves his hometown. He helped start the Krewe of Orpheus, a music-based group that parades in New Orleans during Mardi Gras season.

After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in 2005, Harry helped organize a live TV concert called A Concert for Hurricane Relief to raise money for those affected. He also toured the city to show people the struggles of the citizens. He was made the honorary chair of Habitat for Humanity's Operation Home Delivery, a plan to rebuild homes for families in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. His efforts earned him a Jefferson Award for Public Service.

Musicians' Village

Musicians' Village in New Orleans, August 20, 2007

Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis created a plan to help bring back New Orleans' musical heritage. They worked with Habitat for Humanity to build a Musicians' Village in New Orleans. This village includes homes built by Habitat for musicians and others who need affordable housing. The village also has the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music as its main building.

In 2012, Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis received an award for their great public service.

Personal Life

Harry Connick Jr. married former model Jill Goodacre in New Orleans on April 16, 1994. They have three daughters named Georgia (born 1996), Sarah (born 1997), and Charlotte (born 2002). The family used to live in New Orleans and Connecticut. In 2023, his daughters chose to stay in Sydney, Australia, after he worked on Australian Idol there.

Harry is a supporter of his hometown NFL 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.

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)‍—‌composer
• 2006 The Pajama Game (Broadway Musical)
• 2010 Harry Connick Jr.: In Concert on Broadway (concert)
• 2011 On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (Broadway Musical)
• 2019 Harry Connick, Jr. - A Celebration of Cole Porter (concert)

Images for kids

• 

  Harry Connick Jr. in concert in Savannah, Georgia on February 27, 2007

• 

  Harry Connick Jr. and Renée Zellweger at the Rachael Ray show, January 30, 2009

See also

In Spanish: Harry Connick, Jr. para niños