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Who is Lenny Kravitz?
Lenny Kravitz, a multi-talented musician, made his debut with the 1989 album Let Love Rule. His breakthrough came in 1998 when he earned his first Grammy Award for the album Five. In 2004, Kravitz’s passion for music was reignited, resulting in the album Baptism. He followed this with two more critically acclaimed albums: It Is Time for a Love Revolution (2008) and Black and White America (2011). In addition to his musical career, Kravitz made his acting debut in the 2009 film Precious.
Childhood
Born on May 26, 1964, in Brooklyn, New York, Leonard Albert Kravitz—better known as Lenny Kravitz—was the only child of an interracial marriage. His father, Sy Kravitz, was Jewish, and his mother, Roxie Roker, an African American actress, famously portrayed Helen Willis on the hit sitcom The Jeffersons. Kravitz’s mother passed away from cancer in 1995.
Growing up in the 1960s as a biracial child, Kravitz often faced harsh prejudice. Despite these challenges, he was raised in an affluent household due to his father’s career as a television producer. When the family relocated to Hollywood for Roxie’s role on The Jeffersons, Kravitz nurtured his love for music by joining the California Boys Choir and showcasing his skills on multiple instruments. He later attended Beverly Hills High School’s music program and graduated in 1982.
Early Musical Career
After graduating, Lenny Kravitz struck out on his own, adopting the stage name “Romeo Blue” and setting off on a journey to break into the music industry. Although his parents were well-connected in Hollywood, Kravitz was determined to carve his own path without relying on their fame. His early years were far from glamorous—he even lived out of a rental car that cost him just $5 a day. In 1985, still waiting for his big break, Kravitz faced a personal setback when he was devastated by the news of his parents’ divorce.
Wife and Daughter
In 1986, Lenny Kravitz relocated to New York City, where he met actress Lisa Bonet, who was then starring as Denise Huxtable on The Cosby Show. The two quickly fell in love and moved in together. In November 1987, they eloped in Las Vegas.
While in New York, Kravitz crossed paths with recording engineer Henry Hirsh, a connection that would change the course of his career. By 1989, Kravitz was ready to release his debut album, Let Love Rule, through Virgin Records. Around the same time, Kravitz and Bonet welcomed their daughter, Zoë, into the world.
Musical Success
Lenny Kravitz released his debut album, Let Love Rule, in 1989, reaching No. 61 on the Billboard charts, with the title track peaking at No. 89 on the Hot 100. While the album’s eclectic mix of rock influences brought him moderate success, Kravitz’s breakthrough came in 1990 when Madonna covered his song “Justify My Love.” As his fame grew, his marriage to Lisa Bonet began to fall apart, and the couple divorced in the early 1990s.
In 1991, Kravitz released his second album, Mama Said, a deeply personal work inspired by his painful divorce. The album cracked the Top 40, with the single “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over” becoming a major hit, reaching No. 2 on the charts.
Kravitz’s career soared with the 1993 release of Are You Gonna Go My Way, earning him an MTV Video Music Award for the album’s title track. His 1995 album, Circus, climbed to No. 10 on the Billboard charts, as fans eagerly embraced his evolving sound. In 1998, Kravitz experimented with digital technology on his album Five, which brought him critical and commercial success, including his first Grammy Award for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance.
In 2000, Kravitz released a Greatest Hits compilation and later collaborated with Guns N’ Roses in 2002. In 2001, he released a new studio album titled Lenny.
Kravitz took a stand against the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, releasing the download-only protest song “We Want Peace.” His 2004 album, Baptism, reflected a renewed passion for music, followed by It Is Time for a Love Revolution (2008) and Black and White America (2011).
Beyond music, Kravitz made his film debut in 2009 in the Oscar-nominated movie Precious and later appeared in The Hunger Games (2012). Recently, he has embraced a simpler life on a small island in the Bahamas, finding peace and inspiration there.
Kravitz returned to the big screen in 2013 with Lee Daniels’ The Butler, starring alongside Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey, while also contributing to the soundtrack. That same year, he reprised his role in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, further expanding his diverse career.