Harry Connick Jr. Biography (2)
His leading man role in Hope Floats, opposite Sandra Bullock, was recognized with a 1999 Blockbuster Award nomination for Favorite Actor - Drama/Romance. Connick proved his voice-over talents in the critically acclaimed feature My Dog Skip and the animated The Iron Giant. For his work in director Linda Yellen's improvisational film The Simian Line, Connick turned in what Variety termed an achingly honest performance. Other projects include ABC's telefilm version of South Pacific starring Glenn Close.
Connick first reached a mass audience as a pianist, singer and bandleader, securing his place in the public eye as a renaissance man and versatile entertainer. His love of music and performing dates back to his childhood in New Orleans, where he studied piano with such luminaries as James Booker and Ellis Marsalis. He first performed publicly at age six, appeared on his first jazz recording at age ten, and released his self-titled major label debut for Columbia Records at 19, only a year after his high school graduation and his move to New York City.
Connick achieved widespread success as a musician when director Rob Reiner asked him to contribute the score to his 1989 smash When Harry Met Sally, leading to Connick's first multi-platinum album (it was also his first big band recording). Since then, Connick has released six additional platinum albums, three gold albums, received three Grammy awards and nominations for a Tony, an Emmy, an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Cable Ace award.
Buy more detailed movie star biographies in the Movie Star Bookstore.