Raised in Sayreville, New Jersey

At age 13, formed first band Raze

With David Bryan, formed band Atlantic City Expressway

Fronted bands The Rest and Jon Bongiovi and the Wild Ones

Made first recording at age 19 through his cousin Tony Bongiovi; recorded a song for the Star Wars Christmas Album, "Christmas With the Stars", with music by John Williams

Formed group Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi released its first self-titled album

Second album "7800 Fahrenheit" released

Breakthrough album, "Slippery When Wet"

Bon Jovi (the Band) provided the song "Raise Your Hands" for the soundtrack to Mel Brooks' "Spaceballs"

Band released album "New Jersey"

The band Bon Jovi announced a sabbatical

Composed songs for "Young Guns II"; earned Oscar nomination for "Blaze of Glory"; also played cameo role in film

Began studying acting with Harold Guskin

Reunited with band mates; released album "Keep the Faith"

Band took a second sabbatical

Feature acting debut in "Moonlight and Valentino"

First leading role, "The Leading Man" (released in the USA in 1998)

Made 48-minute short film "Destination Anywhere" to accompany release of solo album

Had featured role in the independent film "Little City"

Co-starred in "Homegrown" and Edward Burns' "No Looking Back"

Starred opposite Bai Ling in "Row Your Boat"; screened at the Santa Barbara Film Festival

Featured in the ensemble cast of the WWII submarine drama "U-571"

Played the alcoholic father of Haley Joel Osment in "Pay It Forward"

Joined the cast of Fox's "Ally McBeal"

Had supporting role in "John Carpenter Presents Vampires: Los Muertos"

Set to star in the indie comedy "National Lampoon's The Trouble With Frank," about a guy who funds an all-girls hockey team with credit cards and then finds himself in trouble with the law (lensed 2005)