The Back Story Featuring Lenny Kravitz
Fans of rock n’ roll entertainer Lenny Kravitz will find the singer co-starring in the Prime Video film Shotgun Wedding which stars Jennifer Lopez as it comes to the streamer on Friday (Jan. 27).
While many are aware of Kravitz’s impact and legacy as an artist, few might not know some of the backstories of the 58-year-old’s career before his fame, acting roles he has had in the past, and some of the greatest talents of all time who are among his family tree.
Born Leonard Albert Kravitz on May 26, 1964, in New York, the musician is an only child to television producer Sy Kravitz and actress Roxie Roker. With a passion for music, Lenny was accepted into the music program at Beverly Hills High School before graduating in 1982. He released his first album Let Love Rule seven years later in 1989 before winning his first Grammy Award in 1998 for his album 5. The artist's musical career includes 12 albums with popular tracks like "Are You Gonna Go My Way," "Fly Away," "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over," "Again," and "American Woman."
Kravitz's music has garnered him four Grammys with additional nominations from his acting career from the Screen Actors Guild (The Butler) and the NAACP Image Awards (The Hunger Games and Precious).
Below is a look into Lenny Kravitz’s back story:
He was in 'Precious' (2009)
If you look closely, you will see Kravitz as Nurse John, who leaves a kind impression on Precious (played by Gabourey Sidibe) in this Lee Daniels film. Precious would be Kravitz's debut acting role in a feature film. He would go on to release his song "Push" inspired by the movie and the novel it is based on.
He was in 'Lee Daniels' The Butler' (2013)
Four years later, Kravitz and Daniels teamed up again where the budding actor stood alongside Forest Whitaker in Lee Daniels The Butler playing James Holloway, a co-worker butler of Cecil's at the White House.
He once adopted a musical alter ego
After graduating from high school, Kravitz adopted the musical alter ego Romeo Blue for a minor stint in his music career. However, he dropped the stage name just in time for his debut album release Let Love Rule in 1989.
His family tree includes some pretty famous faces
As an only child, Kravitz is the son of legendary actress Roxie Roker, who played Helen Willis on The Jeffersons. Kravitz is also the godson of the late Ciecly Tyson and is the honorary nephew to actress and singer Diahann Carroll.
"They all had things to say it was about working hard, it was about being honorable, it was about respect, honesty and authenticity," Kravitz said in an interview with BET.com. "More than [their words] this example of women and how they conducted themselves with so much class, they had a lot of hills in front of them to climb. They knew how to breakthrough with strength and integrity."
You can catch Kravitz in probably his most unexpected role yet when Shotgun Wedding premieres on Prime Video on January 27.
