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Jesse McCartney | |
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 McCartney at the 2010Tribeca Film Festival | |
| Born | (1987-04-09)April 9, 1987 (age 38) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | |
| Instruments |
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| Labels |
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| Formerly of | Dream Street |
Musical artist | |
| Website | www |
Jesse McCartney (born April 9, 1987) is an American actor, singer, and songwriter. He achieved fame in the late 1990s on the daytime dramaAll My Children asJR Chandler. He later joined theboy bandDream Street, and eventually branched out into a solo musical career. Additionally, McCartney has appeared on shows such asLaw & Order: SVU,Summerland, andGreek. McCartney has had an extensive voice acting career, voicing characters such as Theodore in the live-actionAlvin and the Chipmunks film series, JoJo McDodd inHorton Hears a Who!, Terence in theTinker Bell series,Dick Grayson inYoung Justice, andRoxas andVentus in theKingdom Hearts video game series.
McCartney's solo music career began in 2004 with his debut albumBeautiful Soul. "Leavin'", a single from his third albumDeparture, reached the top 10 on theBillboard Hot 100 and is his best-selling song. His most recent album,New Stage, was released in 2021. McCartney is also known for co-writing "Bleeding Love", which became a worldwide hit forLeona Lewis in 2007.
McCartney was born on April 9, 1987 inArdsley, Westchester, New York, the son of Virginia "Ginger" (née Sarber)[2] and Scott McCartney.[3][4] He has a younger sister named Lea (b. 1991) and a younger brother named Timothy (b. 1996).[5][2][6] He began performing in local community musicals at the age of seven, when he debuted his role inOliver!,[7] before joining the national tour ofThe King and I at age ten as Louis, along withPhil of the Future starRicky Ullman. In 1998, he sang with the group Sugar Beats and can be heard on their 1998, 1999, and 2000 CD releases.[8]
In 1999, McCartney joined the American pop boy bandDream Street, and was a member until 2002. He described the experience as a good "stepping stone" for his solo career.[9] The group earned agold record with their debut CD. At fifteen, he began work on a solo career with a local band, featuring musicians Dillon Kondor (guitar), Peter Chema (bass), Katie Spencer (keyboards), Alex Russeku (drums), Karina LaGravinese (background vocals), Sharisse Francisco (background vocals), and under the management of Ginger McCartney and Sherry Goffin Kondor, who co-produced his first albumBeautiful Soul.
McCartney released his first solo EP in July 2003. The album featured three songs: "Beautiful Soul", "Don't You", "Why Don't You Kiss Her". In 2004, he performed a duet withAnne Hathaway, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", which is featured on theElla Enchantedsoundtrack.
McCartney's debut solo album,Beautiful Soul, which was two years in the making, was released on September 28, 2004 in the United States and over a year later in Europe.[10] He categorized it as a "pop record" with twists ofurban.[11] The album featured four songs that he co-wrote.[12]Beautiful Soul reached number 15 on theBillboard 200.[13] The album has been certified platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America, denoting over one million units of shipment to US retailers; it is his highest-certified album as of early 2009.[14] By mid-2006, the album sold more than 1.5 million copies.[12] The album's leadsingle of the same name reached number 16 on theBillboard Hot 100.[13] McCartney was one of the artists to win multiple awards at the 2005Teen Choice Awards, including Choice Crossover Artist, Choice Male Artist and Choice Breakout, Male.[15] The following year, he won Favorite Male Singer at theNickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.[12]
His first headlining tour, also named Beautiful Soul, began on May 2, 2005, at theCrest Theatre inSacramento, California.[11] The United States portion of the tour spanned 56 stops, ending on September 10, 2005, at the Madera District County Fair inMadera, California. In the fall of 2005, McCartney toured Australia, and opened for theBackstreet Boys in Europe in the summer of 2005. His July 9 performance atCalifornia's Great America inSanta Clara, California, was recorded, released asLive: The Beautiful Soul Tour in November 2005.[10]
After the filming ofKeith wrapped, McCartney began working on his second album,Right Where You Want Me, co-writing all but one of the songs featured in it.[12][16]Right Where You Want Me is more mature than his debut, reflecting his musical and personal growth since he recorded his debut album at age 15.[10] Released by Hollywood Records on September 19, 2006, the album reached number 14 on theBillboard 200.[13]
In the fall of 2007, McCartney co-wrote the hit song "Bleeding Love" withRyan Tedder ofOneRepublic, produced by McCartney and Tedder for McCartney's third album, but gave it away to British singerLeona Lewis for her debut albumSpirit. The song was nominated forRecord of the Year at the2009 Grammy Awards.[17] McCartney recorded his own version, which was released on some editions of hisDeparture album.
McCartney released his third album,Departure, on May 20, 2008 in the United States and Canada. Musically, it is a departure from his early works, showcasing more mature themes.[18] The album has reached number 14 on theBillboard 200.[13]
The album's lead single, "Leavin'", was released in March 2008, and reached number 10 on theBillboard Hot 100, giving McCartney his highest-charting single to date.[13] The single was certified platinum by the RIAA, selling over two million downloads on iTunes, becoming McCartney's highest-certified single as of early 2009.[14] The second single, "It's Over", was released on August 26, 2008, and reached #62 on the Hot 100. McCartney promotedDeparture on a co-headlining tour withJordin Sparks, which began in August 2008 and ended in September. He also did solo shows at theaters and small venues to support the album while on tour with Sparks. Sparks also approached him to write some material for her.[19]
McCartney re-releasedDeparture on April 7, 2009. The re-release,Departure: Recharged, featured four new songs: "Body Language", "Oxygen", "Crash & Burn", and "In My Veins". The re-release also features a remix of "How Do You Sleep?" with rapper-actorLudacris. The third single from the album was released from the re-release and was the remix of "How Do You Sleep?". It was much more successful than the second single, reaching #26 on the Hot 100. The fourth and final single from the album was also released from the re-release and was a new version of "Body Language" featuringT-Pain. The single reached #35 on the Hot 100.
The lead single from his fourth studio albumHave It All, "Shake", was sent to radio on September 8, 2010 and was released digitally on September 21, 2010. The song peaked at #54 on the Hot 100. On October 18, 2010, it was announced thatHave It All would be released in January 2011.[20] On November 30, it was announced that the album release would be pushed up to December 28, 2010, the Tuesday following Christmas. On December 3, 2010, McCartney announced through his Facebook page that he pushed the release date for the album back to early 2011. On April 7, 2011, McCartney responded to a question on his Twitter page about the delay, saying it hinged on pickup ofLocke & Key.[21] On November 3, McCartney said via his WhoSay page "2012 is still the magic year for the record to finally come out."[22] On May 6, 2012, McCartney's mother said on Twitter that the replacement of the President of his label,Hollywood Records, in January 2012 was delaying the release of his album.[23] In the March 2013 issue ofGlamouholic magazine that he has covered, an exclusive interview was conducted and he confirmed the release of his anticipated fourth studio album, after all the disbandments of his record label, within this year.Have It All, however, would go on to never be officially released.
On May 13, it was confirmed onOn Air with Ryan Seacrest that McCartney would be joining theBackstreet Boys andDJ Pauly D on theirIn a World Like This Tour, which kicked off on August 2, 2013. On August 13, the singer released "Back Together", the lead single from his fifth studio album, published by the independent label Eight0Eight Records. He performed it live on theToday show on August 15, 2013. On December 10, 2013, McCartney released a four-song EP titled InTechnicolor, Part 1, followed by the single "Superbad", released on May 6, 2014.[24][25] McCartney's fifth studio album,In Technicolor, was released on July 22, 2014. The third single off the album, "Punch Drunk Recreation", was released on November 19, 2014.[26]
On March 23, 2018, McCartney announced the release of his new single "Better With You" with the music video featuring actressDanielle Campbell.[27] He later released a second single titled "Wasted" with a music video directed by Jason Lester, followed by the live albumThe Resolution Tour Live.[28]
In 2020, McCartney competed on thethird season ofThe Masked Singer as "Turtle". He finished as the runner-up.[29] On April 10, 2020, he released the music video for the single "Yours".[30] The single "Friends" was released on May 19, 2020. The official music video featured formerGreek castmatesScott Michael Foster,Jacob Zachar, andPaul James.[31]
On June 2, 2020, McCartney's former Dream Street bandmateChris Trousdale died at a hospital inBurbank, California, at the age of 34 due to complications from an unknown illness during theCOVID-19 pandemic in California.[32][33] It was later revealed thatCOVID-19 was the main complication of Trousdale's death.[34] On June 11, 2020, on what would be Trousdale's 35th birthday, McCartney and his former Dream Street bandmatesGreg Raposo,Frankie Galasso, and Matt Ballinger reunited for a virtual performance of "It Happens Every Time" to pay tribute to him.[35]
McCartney's fifth studio album,New Stage was released on October 8, 2021. The record was preceded by two singles: "Kiss The World Goodbye" and "Party for Two".[36][37] To promote the album, McCartney embarked on his North American tour, to run from November 4 to December 8, 2021.[38]
Three years after the release of his albumNew Stage (2021), McCartney released his fourth EP,All's Well, on April 5, 2024. With "racy lyrics and familiar early '00s pop sounds", the record was preceded by two singles: "Faux Fur" and "Make a Baby" featuringYung Gravy. McCartney went on tour to promote the album, from April 12 (in Austin, Texas) to May 16 (in Los Angeles).[39] McCartney briefly reunited with his former Dream Street bandmates after one of his performances on April 27, at theEmpire Live inNew York City, where they performed a rendition of their cover of "Sugar Rush" originally performed byA-Teens.[40]
On July 18th, 2025 McCartney came on as a special guest onMatt Rife's Stay Golden Tour atMadison Square Garden.[41] On September 19th, 2025 McCartney released his fifth EP Weightless.[42] The Weightless Tour kicked off in Washington DC on September 30, 2025.[43] Starting November 17th, 2025 he will open up for theJonas Brothers on theirJonas20: Greetings from Your Hometown Tour until December 22nd, 2025.[44]
McCartney appeared withThe Who'sRoger Daltrey inA Christmas Carol at Madison Square Garden. From 1998–2001, McCartney playedAdam Chandler Jr. in theABC soap operaAll My Children, a role for which he earned twoYoung Artist Awards and twoDaytime Emmy Award nominations.[45] He also later starred in the short-lived seriesSummerland (2004–05), which aired onThe WB for two seasons, playing orphaned teenager Bradin Westerly.
In 2005, McCartney appeared as himself on theDisney Channel showThe Suite Life of Zack & Cody.[46] In 2007, he starred as himself on theDisney Channel showHannah Montana. In 2008, McCartney was also featured as the voice of JoJo McDodd inHorton Hears a Who! (2008). McCartney also voiced Theodore in the live-actionAlvin and the Chipmunks franchise (2007–2015), in addition to voicing Terence in theTinker Bell film series. He also voicesRobin/Nightwing in theYoung Justice series.
In 2008, McCartney co-starred along withElisabeth Harnois in an independent teenage drama feature film,Keith, directed by Todd Kessler. It was his film debut, and features McCartney in the title role.Keith was released on September 19, 2008.
According toEntertainment Weekly, in December 2008, McCartney was negotiating to play against type in the role of the Fire Nation'sPrince Zuko inM. Night Shyamalan's feature film adaptation ofAvatar: The Last Airbender.[47] In February 2009, British actorDev Patel replaced McCartney, whose tour dates conflicted with a boot camp scheduled for the cast to train in martial arts.[48] McCartney has expressed an interest in directing and producing films and even considered enrolling in a film school.[49]
McCartney appeared as a recurring character in theABC Family seriesGreek for several episodes playing a star football talent who joins Kappa Tau. His character eventually decides to depledge the fraternity after citing pressures between football and Greek life combined with Rusty stealing his girlfriend Jordan.
McCartney also worked in several installments of the Square Enix video game seriesKingdom Hearts. He was featured asRoxas inKingdom Hearts II in 2006, and reprised the role in 2009 inKingdom Hearts 358/2 Days. He also provided the voice work forVentus, a character in the video game of the same seriesKingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep in 2010. He reprised both roles inKingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, released in 2012, as well as inKingdom Hearts III, released in 2019.
McCartney also starred in the horror filmChernobyl Diaries, released on May 25, 2012. He appeared in the seventh season of theLifetime Network seriesArmy Wives in 2013, portraying a young soldier deployed toAfghanistan with an 18-year-old wife at home.
In the summer of 2014, McCartney had a guest-starring role in the ABC Family seriesYoung & Hungry. McCartney played "Cooper", a computer hacker with a romantic interest in the show's lead, played byEmily Osment.[50]
In 2016, McCartney appeared onFear the Walking Dead as Reed, an aggressive member of a group of pirates.[51]
Jesse McCartney's acting career also includesvoice over work (orvoice acting) withBreatheBible.[52]
In 2005, McCartney participated in "Come Together Now", acharity single to benefit the victims of the2004 Asian tsunami and the 2005Hurricane Katrina.
Later in 2005, McCartney signed on as an official supporter of Little Kids Rock,[53] a nonprofit organization that provides free musical instruments and instruction to children in underserved public schools throughout the U.S.A. He sits on LKR's Honorary Board of Directors.
He has donated proceeds of his 2005 tour for disaster relief, recorded radio spots promoting the "Kids For A Drug-Free America" campaign, is a spokesperson for theSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and is involved in the charitySPACE, which was co-founded by a childhood friend of his mother's. McCartney performed at the Hope Rocks concert in 2005 to benefit the City of Hope Cancer Center.[54] He appeared in the Concert for Hope on October 25, 2009, withMiley Cyrus andDemi Lovato.[55]
In September 2019, McCartney got engaged to Katie Peterson, his girlfriend of seven years.[56][57] They married on October 23, 2021.[58][59] On February 14, 2025, it was revealed that McCartney and his wife were expecting their first child.[60][61] The couple's son was born prematurely in May 2025.[62]
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Young Justice | Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series | Nominated |
| 2013 | Won | ||
| Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance | Best Vocal Ensemble in a Video Game | Won | |
| 2014 | Young Justice | Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series | Won |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Beautiful Soul" | Best Pop Song Performance - Male | Won |
| Beautiful Soul | Best Pop Album - Male | Nominated | |
| "Stupid Things" | Best Pop Deep Cut | Nominated | |
| 2007 | "Invincible" | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Himself | Best Male Artist | Won |
| "Beautiful Soul" | Song of the Year | Nominated | |
| Best Song You Can't Believe Your Parents Know the Words To | Nominated | ||
| "Good Life" | Best TV Movie Song | Nominated | |
| 2006 | Himself | Best Male Artist | Won |
| 2007 | Won |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Himself | Choice Music: Male Artist | Won |
| Choice Music: Breakout Artist - Male | Won | ||
| Choice Crossover Artist | Won | ||
| Choice Hottie: Male | Nominated | ||
| Summerland | Choice TV Actor: Drama | Nominated | |
| "Beautiful Soul" | Choice Music: Single | Nominated | |
| Choice Music: Love Song | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | Himself | Choice Music: V-Cast Artist | Nominated |
| 2008 | Choice Music: Male Artist | Nominated | |
| Choice Fanatic Fans | Nominated | ||
| "Leavin'" | Choice Summer Song | Nominated | |
| 2009 | "How Do You Sleep?" | Choice Music: Love Song | Nominated |
| 2012 | Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked | Choice Movie Voice | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | All My Children | Best Performance in a Soap Opera - Young Actor | Nominated |
| 2001 | Best Performance in a Daytime TV Series: Young Actor | Won | |
| 2002 | Best Performance in a TV Drama Series: Supporting Young Actor | Won | |
| 2005 | Summerland | Best Performance in a TV Series (Comedy or Drama) - Leading Young Actor | Nominated |
| Year | Awards | Work | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Soap Opera Digest Awards | All My Children | Outstanding Child Actor | Nominated |
| Daytime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated | ||
| 2002 | Nominated | |||
| 2005 | Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards | Himself | Fave Music Artist | Nominated |
| Fave TV Star | Nominated | |||
| Fave Hottie | Won | |||
| American Music Awards | Favorite Breakthrough Artist | Nominated | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards | "Beautiful Soul" | Best Pop Video | Nominated | |
| ASCAP Pop Music Awards | Most Performed Song | Won | ||
| Billboard Music Awards | Top Soundtrack Single | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | APRA Music Awards | Most Performed Foreign Work | Nominated | |
| 2010 | ASCAP Pop Music Awards | "Bleeding Love" | Most Performed Song | Won |
| 2012 | Online Film & Television Association | Young Justice | Best Voice-Over Performance | Nominated |
Headlining
Co-headlining
Opening act
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The Pirates of Central Park | Simon Baskin | |
| Dream Street Live | Himself | Concert film | |
| 2005 | Pizza | Justin Bridges | |
| The Biggest Fan[a] | Himself | Cameo | |
| Jesse McCartney Up Close | Documentary film | ||
| Jesse McCartney Live: The Beautiful Soul Tour | Concert film | ||
| 2007 | Alvin and the Chipmunks | Theodore Seville | Voice role[66] |
| 2008 | Horton Hears a Who! | JoJo McDodd | |
| Unstable Fables: 3 Pigs and a Baby | Lucky | ||
| Keith | Keith Zetterstrom | ||
| Tinker Bell | Terence | Voice role[66] | |
| 2009 | Jesse McCartney: Live at the House Blues Sunset Strip | Himself | Concert film |
| Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure | Terence | Voice role[66] | |
| Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel | Theodore Seville | ||
| 2010 | Beware the Gonzo | Gavin Reilly | |
| Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue | Terence | Voice role[66] | |
| 2011 | Pixie Hollow Games | ||
| Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked | Theodore Seville | ||
| 2012 | Chernobyl Diaries | Chris | |
| Wings | Cyclone | Voice role[66] | |
| Secret of the Wings | Terence | ||
| 2014 | The Clockwork Girl | Huxley | |
| The Pirate Fairy | Terence | ||
| Wings: Sky Force Heroes | T-Bone | ||
| 2015 | 88 | Winks | |
| Campus Code | Ari | ||
| Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip | Theodore Seville | Voice role[66] | |
| 2020 | Love, Weddings & Other Disasters | Lenny | [67] |
| 2022 | The Big Trip 2: Special Delivery | Oscar | Voice role; replacingDrake Bell[68] |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998–2001 | All My Children | JR Chandler | Recurring role |
| 2000 | Law & Order | Danny Driscoll | Episode: "Thin Ice" |
| 2002 | The Strange Legacy of Cameron Cruz | Cameron Cruz | Unsold TV pilot |
| 2004 | What I Like About You | Himself | Episode: "The Not-So Simple Life" |
| 2004–2005 | Summerland | Bradin Westerly | Main role |
| 2005 | All That | Himself | Season 10, Episode 3 |
| The Suite Life of Zack & Cody | Himself | Episode: "Rock Star in the House" | |
| Punk'd | Himself | 2 episodes | |
| 2006 | Schooled | Himself | Musical performer |
| Celebrity Duets | Himself | Musical performer | |
| All My Children | Himself | Musical performer | |
| 2007 | Hannah Montana | Himself | Episode: "When You Wish You Were the Star" |
| 2008 | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition | Himself | Episode: "The Gilyeat Family" |
| Dance on Sunset | Himself | Episode: "Prom” | |
| Dancing with the Stars | Himself | Musical Performer | |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Max Matarazzo | Episode: "Babes" | |
| 2009 | Greek | Andy | Recurring role (season 2), 6 episodes |
| 2010–2013, 2019–2022 | Young Justice | Dick Grayson /Robin /Nightwing | Voice role; main cast[66] |
| 2011 | Locke & Key | Tyler Locke | Unsold TV pilot |
| 2012 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Wes Clyborn | Episode: "Seeing Red" |
| 2013 | Ben and Kate | College Guy | Cameo; episode: "Ethics 101" |
| Army Wives | Tim Truman | Main role (season 7) | |
| Fly or Die | Himself | Cameo | |
| 2014 | Expecting Amish | Josh | Television film (Lifetime)[69] |
| 2014–2015 | Young & Hungry | Cooper Finley | Recurring role (seasons 1–2), 7 episodes |
| 2015 | The F Word | Himself | Episodes: "Jesse Mccartney" |
| 2016 | Fear the Walking Dead | Reed | 2 episodes |
| Talking Dead | Himself | Guest | |
| Major Crimes | Tucker | Episode: "Present Tense" | |
| 2020 | Celebrity Watch Party | Himself | Episode: "The Deadliest Couch" |
| I Can See Your Voice | Himself (guest judge) | Season 1, Episode 6 | |
| 2020–2021 | The Masked Singer | Turtle, 2020; Himself, 2021 | Runner-up in 2020, as a guest singer in 2021[70] |
| 2024 | Name That Tune | Himself | Episode: "TV Stars and Chart Toppers"[71] |
| 2025 | Chibiverse | Dreambot | Voice role; Episode: "Mabel's Dream Date" |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Kingdom Hearts II | Roxas[66] |
| 2007 | Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix | |
| 2008 | The Hardy Boys: The Hidden Theft | Frank Hardy |
| 2009 | Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days | Roxas[66] |
| 2010 | Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep | Ventus, Roxas[66] |
| 2011 | Kingdom Hearts Re:coded | Roxas |
| 2012 | Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance | Roxas, Ventus[66] |
| 2013 | Young Justice: Legacy | Nightwing[66] |
| 2013 | Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix | Roxas (archival and new footage)[66] |
| 2014 | Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix | Roxas, Ventus (archival and new footage)[66] |
| 2017 | Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue | Roxas, Ventus[66] |
| 2019 | Kingdom Hearts III | |
| 2020 | Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory | Roxas[66] |
the Dream Street alum is diving headfirst into adulthood with a racy new R&B album and a collaboration with British pop star Leona Lewis.
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