John Frank Bongiovi (born March 2, 1962), better known as Jon Bon Jovi, is an American singer, composer, musician (Guitar, Piano, Harmonica, Keyboard) of the rock band Bon Jovi and Hollywood actor.
He was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and later adopted the stage name Jon Bon Jovi (Italian for good life) at the behest of the record company that Bon Jovi signed with.
Bon Jovi married Dorothea Hurley on April 28, 1989 in the Graceland Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. He fathered one daughter, Stephanie Rose Bon Jovi (May 31, 1993), and two sons, Jesse James Louis Bon Jovi (February 19, 1995) and Jacob Hurley Bon Jovi (May 7, 2002).
Jon Bon Jovi is an credited actor in the movies 'Moonlight and Valentino', 'The Leading Man', 'Destination Anywhere', 'Homegrown', 'Little City', 'No Looking Back', 'Row Your Boat', 'U-571'. TV series apperances include 'Sex and the City' and 'Ally McBeal'.
Jon Bon Jovi has recorded two solo albums: 'Blaze of glory' (1990) and 'Destination anywhere' (1997) and sold over 90 million albums with the band Bon Jovi.
Jon Bon Jovi has worked on behalf of Special Olympics, the American Red Cross, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation and other groups.
On June 15, 2001, Jon Bon Jovi addressed the prestigious Oxford Union debate society.
Awards:
- 1989: American Music Award: Best Pop/Rock Band, Duo or Group; award shared with his band
- 1990: Golden Globe: Best Song, Blaze of Glory (from Young Guns II soundtrack)
- 1991: MTV Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award; shared with his band
- 2001: Humanitarian of the Year by The Food Bank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties for his charitable work on behalf of the people of New Jersey
- 2001: Honorary Doctorate in Humanities degree from Monmouth University in New Jersey, for his success as an entertainer and his humanitarian work
