Johnny Ruffo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Johnny Ruffo
Rufflo at the premier of Secret Life of Walter Mitty in Sydney, Australia in 2013
Background information
Birth name	John Patrick Ruffo
Born	(1988-03-08)8 March 1988 Balcatta, Western Australia
Died	10 November 2023(2023-11-10) (aged 35)
Genres	Dance-pop
Occupations	Singer songwriter dancer actor television presenter
Instruments	Guitar, piano, vocals
Years active	2008–2023
Labels	Sony Music Australia (2011–2013), Johnny Ruffo Music (2014–2023)

Johnny Ruffo (born John Patrick Ruffo, 8 March 1988 – 10 November 2023) was a talented Australian singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. He became well-known after being a finalist on the TV show The X Factor Australia in 2011. After the show, he signed a music deal with Sony Music Australia.

In 2012, Johnny won the popular dance competition Dancing with the Stars Australia. His first song, "On Top", was released in June 2012. It became a hit, reaching number 14 on the music charts and selling enough copies to be certified platinum. From 2013 to 2016, Johnny also starred in the Australian TV show Home and Away as the character Chris Harrington.

Johnny's Early Life and Music Dreams

Johnny Ruffo was born in Balcatta, Western Australia, a suburb near Perth. His parents, Jill and Pascoe Ruffo, separated when he was three years old. Johnny grew up mostly with his mother in a small home.

From a young age, Johnny loved music. When he was 12, he started chasing his dream to become a musician, inspired by his idol, Michael Jackson. He taught himself to play the guitar and piano. By the time he was 14, he had written his very first song. Before becoming famous on The X Factor, Johnny worked as a concreter, following in his father's footsteps. He also performed around Perth with an electropop band called Supanova.

Becoming a Star on The X Factor

In 2011, Johnny Ruffo auditioned for the third season of The X Factor Australia. He sang "Do You Remember" by Jay Sean. He impressed the judges and made it to the live shows, where he was mentored by famous singer Guy Sebastian.

Johnny performed many songs during the competition. He made it all the way to the grand finale. On 22 November 2011, it was announced that Johnny was the last contestant to be eliminated. Another contestant, Reece Mastin, won the show that year.

Johnny's X Factor Performances

Here are some of the songs Johnny performed on The X Factor:

Music, Dance, and Acting Career

After The X Factor, Johnny Ruffo signed a record deal with Sony Music Australia. He quickly started recording new songs. In January 2012, he worked on his first album in New York City. He also toured as a supporting act for other popular artists like Reece Mastin and One Direction.

In April 2012, Johnny joined Dancing with the Stars. He was partnered with professional dancer Luda Kroitor. They worked hard and on 17 June 2012, Johnny was announced as the winner! He donated his prize money to the Youth Off The Streets charity, which helps young people.

Hit Songs and TV Roles

Johnny's first single, "On Top", was released in June 2012. It was a big success, reaching number 14 on the Australian music charts. His second song, "Take It Home", came out in October 2012 and also did well.

In April 2013, Johnny started his acting career on the popular TV show Home and Away. He played the character Chris Harrington. He was originally meant to be on the show for a short time, but his role was extended because fans loved him. He stayed on the show until September 2016. In July 2013, he released his third single, "Untouchable".

After leaving Sony Music, Johnny released new music independently. In May 2015, he released "She Got That O". Later that year, he released a Christmas song, "White Christmas". In 2017, Johnny also appeared in the TV miniseries House of Bond.

Johnny's Health Journey

In August 2017, Johnny Ruffo shared that he had undergone surgery to remove a brain tumour. This was discovered after he experienced a severe headache. A week later, he confirmed he had been diagnosed with brain cancer and would start treatment.

In May 2019, Johnny shared good news, saying he was "currently clear of cancer." He then released a new song called "Broken Glass" in June 2019. He explained that the song was very personal and was about facing tough times, not just cancer, but also feelings like sadness or loss.

However, in November 2020, Johnny announced that his brain cancer had returned. In June 2021, he shared that his cancer was "now stable." He released another song, "Let's Get Lost," which he said was inspired by wanting to escape the stress of medication and chemotherapy. Johnny Ruffo passed away on 10 November 2023, at the age of 35.

Musical Inspirations

Johnny Ruffo looked up to artists like Michael Jackson, Usher, and Justin Timberlake. He admired how they combined singing and dancing, which inspired him to do the same.

Concert Tours

Johnny Ruffo performed as a supporting act for several artists:

• Reece Mastin's Australian Tour (2012)
• One Direction's Up All Night Tour: Australian leg (2012)
• New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys' NKOTBSB Tour: Australian leg (2012)

Johnny's Music

Singles

Album Appearances

Music Videos

Film and Television Roles

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Johnny Ruffo para niños