Biography
Date of Birth
9 December 1987, New York City, New York, USA
Birth Name
Jesse Abraham Arthur McCartney
Nickname
Jester
J-Mac
Jess
J
Height
5' 10" (1.78 m)
Mini Biography
Born April 9, 1987 in Ardsley, New York, to Ginger and Scot McCartney, Jesse began his career in theater with a national revival tour of The King and I with Hayley Mills (1997/98), and a notable New York Production of A Christmas Carol (1998) with Roger Daltrey. Jesse got the part of 'Adam Chandler Jr.' on the show All My Children for which he would eventually Emmy nominations in 2001 and 2002. After a brief stint in a children's musical group Sugar Beats, and later in teen boy band Dream Street, Jesse was signed as a solo artist to Hollywood Records.
He released his first full length album on September 28, 2004. His song, "Beautiful Soul" was an instant hit and the album of the same title was certified platinum on February 24, 2005. His Departure album yielded another smash single, "Leavin'," landing him a #1 spot on the charts and was Top 40 Radio's most played song of of the year. His next single "How Do You Sleep" also charted in the top 10 in the following year. His songwriting credits include co-writing the smash "Bleeding Love" for singer Leona Lewis, which was a #1 hit in 34 countries; the only song in over a decade to achieve this status. It also won ASCAP's song of the year and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
In addition to starring in Keith, which won five international film festival awards, McCartney's film credits include the Tribeca Film Festival's darling Beware The Gonzo (opposite Ezra Miller) and Oren Peli's Chernobyl Diaries. McCartney has voiced numerous animated characters for films, video games, and television series including all of the Alvin and the Chipmunks films, Horton Hears a Who, Kingdom Hearts, and Cartoon Network's Young Justice. McCartney played lead role of 'Bradin Westerly' in the TV series Summerland, which ran for two years on The WB (now The CW). He also landed the lead in the pilot Locke and Key for Fox, based on Joe Hill's graphic novels of the same name. Other major TV credits include Fear The Walking Dead, Major Crimes, Greek, Law & Order SVU, and CSI: Las Vegas as well as a lengthy stint in the cast of Army Wives as 'Private Tim Truman.'
Jesse currently resides in Los Angeles.
Trivia
Has a younger sister, Lea, and a younger brother, Tim.
Was the youngest member of Dream Street.
Played JV Baseball on his High School Baseball team
Parents are Scot & Ginger McCartney
Did a duet with Anne Hathaway, "Don't Go Breaking My Heart", which is featured on the Ella Enchanted (2004) soundtrack. [2004]
Won the 2005 Fake ID TRL Award for artists under 21
Debut solo album went platinum in February 2005
Auditioned for the lead role in The Sixth Sense (1999).
He went bungee jumping when he was 13.
Graduated high school in New York, June 2005.
He has Scottish, English, German, and Irish ancestry. Among his Scottish ancestors are his paternal great-great-grandparents, James McCartney and Elizabeth Welch, who were from Angus, Scotland.
Started performing at age 7.
Was originally going to play Sebastion in She's The Man, but had to pull out.
Preformed at the Lion-Titans halftime show on Thanksgiving Day, 2008.
Nominated for - Record of The Year (for "Bleeding Love") 51st Grammy Awards 2009.
He has a rather extensive shoe collection.
Filming his new music video for his new single "Right Where You Want Me" [July 2006]
Currently in Los Angeles filming Summerland (2004) which will air in June. Putting finishing touches on his solo album. [April 2004]
Released his sophmore album, "Right Where You Want Me." [September 2006]
He was part of the boy band Dream Street, which included: Chris Trousdale, Jesse McCartney, Greg Raposo, Matt Ballinger and Frankie J. Galasso.
On tour with American Idol winner, Jordin Sparks. [August 2008]
On tour for "Beautiful Soul" album. [May 2005]
Recording his third solo album. [December 2007]
Touring and Promoting His CD in Europe [January 2006]
Finished filming Keith (2008). [December 2005]
is on a Radio Tour for his new CD album "Departure" [February 2008]
Departure Tour with opening act Little Italy (aka L.I.). [August 2008]
Released his debut single "Beautiful Soul" and is now filming for the TV show Summerland (2004) portraying the character "Bradin". [August 2003]
Released his new music video "Right Where You Want Me" [August 2006]
Released fourth studio album "In Technicolor" in 2014.
Quotes
When I am on stage performing my single, I am thinking about all the girls who are my friends more than anything and are truly 'Beautiful Souls'.
I'm not a phony-friendly guy and I'm usually very quiet and not a big laugher, so some people might take that for rudeness and being mean. If anyone ever got that impression, I apologize. I love all my fans and really appreciate all their support!
When I'm singing, that's all me. That's from the bottom of my heart -it's everything I've worked for. When you're on stage, there are no guidelines. No one's telling me what to do!
I want to go to the top. This business is my life. I'm in for the ride.
Bradin is a character that I created. As much as he seems like me, he is very much different. When you're acting, you're given material and you create what you do with it, but you have to stay within the guidelines.
The eyes don't lie. There's something that goes on with the eyes and the sincerity of the person. Luckily I have that knack, which is good because that stuff happens in the business.
My music has a blue-eyed soul sound to it. I grew up listening to James Taylor on our family road trips. He's unbelievable.
I had a kissing scene on the first episode of Summerland. I thought it would be weird, but it wasn't too bad. The crew has seen it a million times. Plus, I feel very comfortable with everyone onset. It was harder on Kay, who plays my younger sister on the show. She was only 13 and had her first kiss in front of the camera. Doing it on your own is nerve-racking enough!
"I went to this dance with some of my friends and there were kids saying 'I know who you are - you're Aaron Carter!' It doesn't bother me if people confuse us. I know we're very different. I am who I am.
I don't wanna say I have a temper...but I do! I kind of sulk and sit there when I'm bitter. I won't show you, but you can see it. Probably if you bring me Godiva chocolate, I'll be your friend again!
I have a hard time waking up. No alarm clock works! It sounds childish, but I seriously have my manager, my mom or a buddy of mine wake me up if I have to be somewhere. It's a serious issue! I've been very late for some serious gigs because of it!
"I'm giving them all that I have and if that's not enough, then sorry, I'm out of the game. I'll do my own thing-I'll make movies, I'll direct, I'll go to college. I'll do this as long as I can and as successfully as I can with a lot of joy and pride!"-When asked 'Do you feel pressure to live up to everyone's expectations.
Yes, I am a normal teenager...just one that works in the professional world.
I just got a house a few months ago and the upstairs is being done, which is like where I'm gonna be staying, living most of the time. There's two different entrances. I'll have my own privacy - my own space. Kind of be on my own but not too far from home. My family is gonna be moving out probably at the end of the year.
