Born on January 31, 1981, Justin Timberlake began his career on The New Mickey Mouse Club, starring with Britney Spearsand Christina Aguilera. In 1995, he became a teen heartthrob with the pop group 'N Sync. After the pop groups immensely successful run in the '90s, Timberlake went solo in 2002, releasing his own album,
Justified. Timberlake proved he could stand alone with the Grammy-winning album, and continued his success as a solo artist with FutureSex/LoveSounds(2006) and The 20/20 Experience(2013). Aside from a prominent singing career, Timberlake also proved himself a talented actor, starring in Alpha Dog (2006), The Social Network (2010) and In Time (2011).
Early life
Justin Randall Timberlake was born on January 31, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee. Raised a Baptist, Timberlake grew up singing in the church choir. From 1993 to 1995, he performed on The New Mickey Mouse Club, along with pop stars Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and JC Chasez. Afterward, Timberlake and Chasez, along with Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick, formed the all-male singing group 'N Sync. The boy band would go on to become one of the hottest pop groups of the 1990s, releasing No Strings Attached in 2000 and Celebrity in 2001.
Solo career
In 2002, Timberlake decided to pursue a solo career, debuting with the hit song "Like I Love You." Later that year, he released his first solo album, Justified, which sold more than 7 million copies worldwide. He received two Grammy Awards in 2004 for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The wins came on the heels of a controversial Super Bowl performance with Janet Jackson in which Timberlake accidentally tore off a portion of Jackson's costume revealing her bare breast.
Successful collaborations
As a solo artist, Timberlake has often collaborated with the Black Eyed Peas, receiving an Grammy nomination with the band for "Where Is The Love?" He has also worked with Nelly, Snoop Doggand Nelly Furtado and started his own record company, JayTee Records, in 2005. The following year, he released his second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard chart. The album's lead single, "SexyBack", spent several consecutive weeks at No. 1. In 2008, Timberlake helped makeMadonna's single, "4 Minutes", a Top 10 hit. Not only did he provide complimentary vocals, he was also a co-writer of the song. Timberlake also contributed to several other tracks on Madonna'sHard Candy album.
Acting Pursuits
Also in pursuit of an acting career, Timberlake has experienced success in both film and television. While parts in Alpha Dog (2006) and Black Snake Moan (2006) garnered little notice, he did hit it big as the voice for a young King Arthur in 2007's smash animated filmShrek the Third, which featured Mike Myers as the title character. Other work soon followed, as Timberlake teamed up with Myers once again when he appeared in the 2008 comedy The Love Guru.
He also had a role in the drama The Open Road (2009) with Jeff Bridges and Mary Steenburgen.
One of Timberlake's most notable performances to date was in 2010's The Social Network, the drama about the creation of Facebook. Timberlake played real-life internet tycoon Sean Parker in the film. Turning to more comedic fare,
he starred in Bad Teacher withCameron Diaz and in Friends with Benefits with Mila Kunis, both in 2011. Timberlake also has a leading role in the 2013 thrillerRunner Runner with Ben Affleck. Keeping in stride with his latest string of more serious roles, Timberlake has also taken on the part of Neil Bogart in the filmInside Llewyn Davis (2013).
In addition to his roles on film, Timberlake has made a name for himself in the television industry as well. Timberlake made his first appearance on Saturday Night Live as both a host and musical guest in 2006. His routines and comedic timing made him a fan favorite among the hosts who have graced the stage. Having won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2009 and 2011, he has proven himself as a versatile actor with his work in TV.
Timberlake has also opened several restaurants, started a clothing line and participated in humanitarian efforts in his native Tennessee.
Personal life
Timberlake once dated fellow pop singer Britney Spears and actressCameron Diaz. In 2007, he began dating actress Jessica Biel. After an on-and-off relationship that lasted several years, the couple got married in October of 2012, in Puglia, Italy. They later issuing the following statement to People magazine: "It's great to be married, the ceremony was beautiful and it was so special to be surrounded by our family and friends."
Recent musical success
In January 2013, Timberlake returned to the music scene with the hit single "Suit & Tie." The song appeared on his album The 20/20 Experience released that March, reaching the top of the album charts in its first week. Before the long-awaited album was released, Timberlake performed "Pusher Love Girl" and "Suit & Tie" alongsideJay-Z at the 2013 Grammy Awards ceremony. Timberlake continued to enjoy this wave of success in August when he picked up the VMA Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards. At the ceremony, he gave an impressive performance, which also featured a reunion with his 'N Sync bandmates.
He quickly followed The 20/20 Experience with The 20/20 Experience Part 2 of 2 in October of the same year. The follow-up album didn't find the same critical acclaim that the previous iteration found, however the album still produced the hit single "Take Back the Night."