Harry Connick Jr.

**Joseph Harry Fowler Connick Jr.** (born September 11, 1967) is an American singer, pianist, composer, actor, and former television host. He has sold over 30 million records worldwide and has achieved unprecedented success in the U.S. jazz chart history. Connick is renowned for his Christmas album, 'When My Heart Finds Christmas (1993)', and his high-charting album, 'Only You (2004)', with the latter reaching No. 5 in the U.S. and No. 6 in Britain. He is a three-time Grammy Award and two-time Emmy Award winner. Connick also played on the NBC sitcom 'Will & Grace' from 2002 to 2006. As an actor, Connick began his career playing in the World War II film 'Memphis Belle (1990)'. He also had roles in the blockbuster 'Independence Day (1996)', Hope Floats (1998) with Sandra Bullock, and in the family film 'Dolphin Tale' as Dr. Clay Haskett and its 2014 sequel. Harry Connick Jr. started learning music at an early age and his musical talents were developed at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. He studied jazz at Loyola University New Orleans, and later at Hunter College and the Manhattan School of Music. Connick's first record was mainly an instrumental standards and paved his way to jazz fame.