Harry Connick Jr on the acting gig that changed it all
On the eve of his Australian tour American crooner and actor Harry Connick Jr, 56, talks grief, gadgets and the film that saw his career skyrocket.
My biggest break that set me on this path was …
When Harry Met Sally. I went from an up and coming musician-performer to somebody who was associated with a huge film with massive international recognition. It was the one thing that took me from point A to point B very quickly.
One thing people would be surprised to learn about the soundtrack is … I didn’t really do the soundtrack to the movie. I think I might have sung one or two songs that were used in the film and I played a little bit of piano. But the soundtrack album that I did is associated with the film because all those songs were used in the movie, even though the versions of the songs weren’t used in the movie.
Although my mother was a judge and my father was a district attorney there was never any pressure to have a career in the law … because ever since I was a little boy music has always been my greatest love — they knew that from the time I was three or four years old. My parents made sure that I got the education that I needed and opportunities to play and to learn. I started playing around on the piano at home when I was about three.
One thing that’s not in my life anymore is … my mother. I lost my mother when I was 13 (she died of ovarian cancer). That was probably the most traumatic event in my life. When I think about something that used to be a huge part of my life that’s not there anymore, that would have to be my mum.
When it comes to dealing with grief …it’s something that everybody goes through at some point and by far the hardest thing I’ve ever had to go through. But I made it through. You just sort of figure out a way through it and take it a day at a time and over time the grief subsides and you’re left with, hopefully, a lot of really great memories.
If I had to describe myself as a spender or a saver I would say …I’m kind of in the middle. I like gadgets. In the music world, there’s a lot of electronics that I use to make my craft, recording equipment, different keyboards and stuff. So I definitely call myself a spender in that way. But it’s not like I’m compelled to have 18 sports cars. I’m pretty laid back. I save and I spend in appropriate amounts to my lifestyle.
When it comes to deciding which film roles to take …I just read scripts (to see) if there’s something that I like that fits into my schedule. I usually do one about every couple of years. A lot of factors that go into making films: who’s producing it, who’s directing it, where it’s going to be shot, who’s in it, what’s the story. The last one I did, The Islander, ticked all of those boxes.
If I regret anything it would be …I don’t really have any regrets. I think all of the mistakes that I’ve made and the decisions that I’ve made have informed who I am. At the time I did everything purposefully — whether it was a good decision or a bad decision. If you can go back and change everything and make it a good experience, then you wouldn’t really be the person you are.
The very first time I came to Australia … must have been in the early 90s. I just remember the feeling of culture shock because it was so far from anything that I knew. Australia was a mysterious idea to a lot of Americans. We knew a little bit about Australian culture from what we saw on TV and in the movies. But to actually get off of a plane here after such a long flight and experience the culture and the people and the food and the incredible landscape, I just remember being so excited about that.
Harry Connick Jr is touring Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne, December 3-18.
To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register
Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout