Brian McKnight
Known for

Acting

Credits

43

Gender

Man

Birthday

5 Jun 1969 (55)

Place of birth

Buffalo, New York, USA

Also known as

Brian McKnight

Biography

Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. (born Brian Kelly McKnight; June 5, 1969) is an American singer-songwriter, actor, record producer, radio personality, and multi-instrumentalist. An R&B performer, he is recognized for his strong head voice, high belting range, and Melissa. His work has earned him 16 Grammy Award nominations, third only to Zubin Mehta and Snoop Dogg for the record of most nominations for the award without a win. His first hit song, "Love Is" (with Vanessa Williams) was recorded for the Beverly Hills, 90210 soundtrack in 1993, and peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, his single "One Last Cry" peaked at number 13 on the chart and spawned from his eponymous debut studio album (1992), which was released by Mercury Records the year prior and received platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). His 1997 single, "You Should Be Mine (Don't Waste Your Time)" (featuring Mase) peaked within the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and led his third album, Anytime (1997)—his final release with Mercury before he signed with Motown. His 1999 single, "Back at One" peaked at number two on the chart and remains his highest-charting song; it preceded the album of the same name (1999), which was the first of four of his albums—Superhero (2001), U Turn (2003), and Gemini (2005)—to consecutively debut within the top ten of the Billboard 200. His ninth album, Ten (2006) marked his final major label release. He was married from 1990-2003 to singer-songwriter, Julie McKnight, and they have two sons together. He also has a daughter he fathered from a previous relationship. In 2014, he began dating Dr. Leilani Malia Mendoza, a pediatric neurophysiologist, and they announced their engagement in May 2017 and on December 29, 2017, they were married. Mendoza has two children from a previous relationship. McKnight and Mendoza had a son who died in infancy. In December 2022, they had another son, Brian Kainoa Makoa Jr. McKnight legally changed his name to Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight Sr. to match his new son's name. ​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Known for
Acting roles
YearMovie / TV show / OtherRole
Vegas Live! with Clint Holmes & Sheena Easton
2020Streetlight HarmoniesSelf
2019Tamron HallSelf - Guest
2018American IdolSelf
2017NakedBrian McKnight
2016An Evening with Brian McKnightLead Singer
2013A Country Christmas StoryDanny
2012The Eric Andre ShowSelf
2011A Man's StorySelf
2011Cheaper to Keep HerRaymond Mays
2008Hit Man: David Foster & FriendsSelf
2008Boyz II Men - Motown, A Journey Through Hitsville USA LiveSelf
2006The Megan Mullally ShowSelf - Musical Guest
2006The Greg Behrendt Show
2006Celebrity Duets
2005The Late Late Show with Craig FergusonSelf
2005The BeatRecord Executive
2005Sound Off with Matt Pinfield
2004Nick & Jessica's Family ChristmasSelf
2004Soundstage - Chris Isaak ChristmasSelf
2004The 7th Annual Soul Train Christmas StarfestSelf
2003The Ellen DeGeneres ShowSelf
2003Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003PlatinumMace
2003The New Tom Green ShowSelf
2003The 6th Annual Sears Soul Train Christmas StarfestSelf - Performer
2002American DreamsStokely Carmichael
2002A New Day Has ComeSelf
2001My Wife and KidsSelf
2000A Diva's Christmas CarolHimself
1999The Parkers
1999Mariah Carey: Around the WorldSelf
1996The Steve Harvey ShowHimself
1995MADtvSelf
1995Star Search
1994Sister, Sister
1994New York UndercoverSelf
1992Martin
1992The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1990Beverly Hills, 90210
1988LIVE with Kelly and Mark
1963Miss USASelf - Entertainment
Credits
YearMovie / TV show / OtherRole
2007Daddy's Little GirlsOriginal Music Composer