Stevie Wonder

Birth Name:

Stevland Hardaway Judkins

Birth Place:

Saginaw, Michigan, United States

Profession

Soundtrack, Music department, Actor, Producer

Became a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1999
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983
Graduated from the Michigan School for the Blind
His family moved to Detroit when his mother ended her relationship with her husband
Was born 6 weeks premature and excessive oxygen use in an incubator lead to his blindness
Quote: "Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there․"
Quote: "I just dig audiences․ That to me is the most worthwhile thing about this whole business․ People coming to have a good time and letting me sing for them․"
Quote: "Just because a man lacks the use of his eyes doesn't mean he lacks vision․"
During negotiations with Motown in the 1970s he fought for and won control of his creative licensing and rights to his songbook
At the age of 14 he stopped recording for a year because his voice was changing
In 1984 he dedicated his Oscar for Best Song to then-imprisoned Nelson Mandela, which sparked outrage with officials in South Africa and lead to a ban on his music

1985Oscar - Best Music, Original Song:Winner
1985BAFTA Film Award - Best Original Song:Nominated
1985Golden Globe - Best Original Song - Motion Picture:Winner
1986Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Performer in a Comedy Series:Nominated
1992ASCAP Award - Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures:Winner
1992Grammy - Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television:Nominated
1992Grammy - Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television:Nominated
1997ASCAP Award - Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures:Winner
2000ASCAP Award - Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures:Winner
2000Razzie Award - Worst Original Song:Winner
2002Peabody Award - Winner:Winner
2003TV Land Award - Favorite Guest Performance by a Musician on a TV Show:Nominated
2016HMMA Award - Best Original Song - Animated Film:Nominated
2017Golden Globe - Best Original Song - Motion Picture:Nominated

Fast Facts