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John Legend Biography

Birth Name:John Roger Stephens

Birth Place:Springfield, Ohio, United States

Profession Soundtrack, Producer, Actor, Music department

Fast Facts

  • In 2007, he decided to start the Show Me Campaign organization to help provide access to a quality education to all children
  • In 2017, he was honored with a Smithsonian American Ingenuity Award for his work in performing arts
  • Won two Black Reel Awards for best song, one for "Shine" for the 2010 film "Waiting for 'Superman'" and one for "Who Did That to You" for the 2012 film "Django Unchained․"
  • Attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he directed a coed a cappella group
  • In 2013, he got married to model Christine Teigen
  • Started playing the piano at the age of four
  • Quote: "All men should be feminists․ If men care about women’s rights the world will be a better place․"
  • Originally wrote his hit single "Ordinary People" for the Black Eyed Peas
  • Was featured playing piano on the Lauryn Hill single "Everything Is Everything․"
  • While in college, he was the president of the a capella group Counterparts

Awards

  • 2010HFCS Award-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2011Black Reel-Best Song: winner
  • 2011Critics Choice Award-Best Song: nominated
  • 2011DFCS Award-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2011OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 2012SLFCA Award-Best Music: winner
  • 2013Black Reel-Best Song: nominated
  • 2013Black Reel-Best Song: winner
  • 2013INOCA-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2014AAFCA Award-Best Music: winner
  • 2014ACCA-Best Original Song: winner
  • 2015Oscar-Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song: winner
  • 2015Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: winner
  • 2015Critics Choice Award-Best Song: winner
  • 2015GAFCA Award-Best Original Song: winner
  • 2015Gold Derby Film Award-Original Song: winner
  • 2015Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture: winner
  • 2015HFCS Award-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2015INOCA-Best Original Song: winner
  • 2015IFC Award-Best Song: nominated
  • 2015OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 2015Seattle Film Critics Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
  • 2015World Soundtrack Award-Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: nominated
  • 2016Grammy-Best Song Written for Visual Media: winner
  • 2017Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: nominated
  • 2017Black Reel-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
  • 2017Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2017MTV Movie + TV Award-Best Musical Moment: nominated
  • 2018Black Reel-Outstanding Actor, TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
  • 2018National Film and Television Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2018OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special (Live): winner
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: nominated
  • 2019Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: nominated
  • 2019Image Award-Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2020Emmy-Outstanding Arts & Culture Documentary: nominated
  • 2021Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: nominated
  • 2021CIC Award-Best Original Song: nominated
  • 2021Independent Spirit Award-Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series: nominated
  • 2021GMS Award-Best Song Written and/or Recorded for a Film: nominated
  • 2021IDA Award-Best Multi-Part Documentary: winner
  • 2023Emmy-Outstanding Non-Fiction Program: winner