Jon Bon Jovi (Actor)

Jon Bon Jovi performs at the Nokia Theatre Times Square. (Photo: Scott Gries / Getty Images)

A sexy rock star with chiseled features, a killer smile, bright blue eyes, smooth skin and (sometimes flowing) chestnut hair, Jon Bon Jovi has clocked more than a dozen years fronting his band rock'n'roll band Bon Jovi, but more recently has been concentrating on his burgeoning acting career. He is still in some ways the kid from Sayreville, NJ who dreamed of stardom, married to his high school sweetheart and surrounded by people he has known his entire life. Interested in music from his early teens, Bon Jovi fronted several bands before winning a local contest and forming the group now known for such hits as "Bad Medicine" and "Living on a Prayer". The group has taken periodic breaks from one another to allow the members to pursue solo work. During one of these breaks, Bon Jovi contributed songs to the soundtrack for "Young Guns II" (1990), including the Oscar-nominated "Blaze of Glory". He also got his first taste of movie-making by appearing in a cameo appearance as a gunfighter killed within minutes of the beginning of the film. Reteaming with his band mates, the group released two albums (1994's "Crossroads" sold over 12 million copies and the ballad "Always" was a Top Ten hit for 32 weeks) and toured extensively. A second sabbatical followed in 1995.

After years fielding offers and speculation about his acting interests, Bon Jovi (who began to study acting in 1990) made his feature acting debut in "Moonlight and Valentino" (1995) as the house painter who turns the heads of Whoopi Goldberg, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kathleen Turner and, in particular, Elizabeth Perkins. Proving he was more than just a rock star cashing in on his looks and fame, he delivered a solid supporting performance. Director John Duigan tapped him for the complicated role of "The Leading Man" (1996), a seductively mercenary actor who is willing to do anything to further his career. He followed with a turn as an alcoholic bartender who falls for Annabella Sciorra in "Little City" (1997) and garnered praise for his work as the handyman boyfriend of waitress Lauren Holly in Edward Burns' "No Looking Back" (1998). In 1997, Bon Jovi released a solo album "Destination Anywhere" and filmed a 48-minute short companion film (which could be cut into separate music videos) co-starring Demi Moore and Whoopi Goldberg.