Jon Bon Jovi

Jon Bon Jovi
Name	Jon Bon Jovi
Caption	Jon Bon Jovi in 2019
Birth name	John Francis Bongiovi Jr.
Birth date	2 March 1962
Birth place	Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor, philanthropist
Years active	1975–present
Spouse	Dorothea Hurley, 1989
Associated acts	Bon Jovi, Aldo Nova, Bruce Springsteen
Website	bonjovi.com

Jon Bon Jovi. John Francis Bongiovi Jr., known professionally as Jon Bon Jovi, is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, actor, and philanthropist, renowned as the founder and frontman of the rock band Bon Jovi. Since the band's formation in 1983 in Sayreville, New Jersey, he has been its principal songwriter and driving creative force, leading them to become one of the best-selling music acts of all time with over 130 million records sold worldwide. His career spans music, film, television, and significant philanthropic endeavors, solidifying his status as a global cultural icon.

Early life and education

John Francis Bongiovi Jr. was born on March 2, 1962, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to former Marine and hairdresser Carol Sharkey and barber John Francis Bongiovi Sr. He was raised in Sayreville, New Jersey, with his two brothers, Anthony and Matthew. His maternal cousin, Tony Bongiovi, was a co-owner of the famous Power Station recording studio in New York City, which provided Jon's first professional exposure to the music industry. He attended Sayreville War Memorial High School, where he performed in various bands, including the R&B cover group Atlantic City Expressway, and briefly studied at St. Joseph's University before dropping out to pursue music full-time.

Music career

His music career began in earnest when he recorded a song at his cousin's Power Station studio, which became the independently released single "Runaway." This led to the formation of the band Bon Jovi in 1983 with guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, bassist Alec John Such, and drummer Tico Torres. The band achieved massive commercial success with their third album, Slippery When Wet (1986), featuring global hits like "Livin' on a Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad Name." Subsequent albums like New Jersey (1988) and Keep the Faith (1992) cemented their status. As a solo artist, he released the albums Blaze of Glory (1990), featuring music from the film Young Guns II, and Destination Anywhere (1997). He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Bon Jovi in 2018.

Acting career

Jon Bon Jovi has pursued a parallel career in acting, making his film debut in The Return of Bruno (1987). He gained critical recognition for his role in the Young Guns sequel, Young Guns II (1990), and starred in films such as Moonlight and Valentino (1995) and U-571 (2000). On television, he had a recurring role on the series Ally McBeal and appeared in Sex and the City. He later took on more dramatic roles, including a multi-episode arc on the police drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and a starring role as a FBI agent in the short-lived series The Inside.

Philanthropy and business ventures

His philanthropic work is channeled primarily through the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, established in 2006, which focuses on combating issues of homelessness and poverty by supporting community development and providing affordable housing. He has been involved with numerous charitable organizations, including the Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and the Special Olympics. In business, he is a part-owner of the Arena Football League team the Philadelphia Soul and was a founding partner of the MLS club Philadelphia Union. He has also invested in the restaurant industry, co-owning a chain called Soul Kitchen.

Personal life

Jon Bon Jovi married his high school sweetheart, Dorothea Hurley, in 1989 at the Graceland Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. The couple has four children: Stephanie, Jesse, Jacob, and Romeo. He is a longtime resident of Middletown Township, New Jersey, and also maintains homes in Manhattan, Long Island, and Boca Raton, Florida. An active supporter of the Democratic Party, he has performed at events for presidents like Barack Obama and Joe Biden. In 2021, he underwent major vocal cord surgery, which impacted his ability to tour.

Discography

* With Bon Jovi: Bon Jovi (1984), 7800° Fahrenheit (1985), Slippery When Wet (1986), New Jersey (1988), Keep the Faith (1992), These Days (1995), Crush (2000), Bounce (2002), Have a Nice Day (2005), Lost Highway (2007), The Circle (2009), What About Now (2013), This House Is Not for Sale (2016), 2020 (2020) * Solo: Blaze of Glory (1990), Destination Anywhere (1997)

Filmography

* The Return of Bruno (1987) * Young Guns II (1990) * Moonlight and Valentino (1995) * The Leading Man (1996) * Little City (1997) * Homegrown (1998) * Row Your Boat (1999) * ''U-571 (film)