Jon Bon Jovi has hit his 50s - the rock superstar is celebrating his half century on Friday (02Mar12).
Born John Francis Bongiovi, Jr. in New Jersey in 1962, the singer/songwriter has become a rock icon thanks to his hitmaking supergroup Bon Jovi, an actor in films like The Leading Man, Pay It Forward and New Year's Eve, and a top humanitarian.
To ring in his 50s, WENN trawled through the archives to find 10 fascinating facts about the one-and-only Jon Bon Jovi.
Happy birthday, Jon!
- Jon Bon Jovi was a majority owner of the Philadelphia Soul, a U.S. Arena Football League team.
- He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Monmouth University in 2001.
- He claims he is a blood relative of Frank Sinatra.
- Bon Jovi won a Golden Globe for the song Blaze of Glory. It was also Oscar nominated.
- The rocker has four children, aged seven to 19.
- In 2006, Bon Jovi made a $1 million donation to build homes in Louisiana, a year after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the state.
- In December 2010, Bon Jovi was appointed to the new White House Council for Community Solutions by President Barack Obama. As a member of the council, he will oversee the enlistment of leaders in the non-profit, private, and philanthropic sectors to make progress on key policy goals. He'll also honour and highlight those making a significant impact in their own communities.
- He suffers from sensitive eyes and struggles in bright sunlight and in smoky atmospheres. That's why he often wears sunglasses. During the spring he suffers allergies and hay fever.
- He was elected into the 2008 New Jersey Hall of Fame for his services to arts, entertainment, and philanthropy.
- His favourite movie is The Godfather.