Timberlake, Justin (1981-…), is a popular American singer, songwriter, and actor. He became famous as a teenager in the late 1990’s as a lead vocalist in the all-male pop singing group ‘N Sync (often written as *NSYNC). Timberlake has won a number of Grammy Awards as a solo performer.
Justin Randall Timberlake was born on Jan. 31, 1981, in Memphis. He began singing as a child. He performed on ”The All New Mickey Mouse Club” television series in 1993 and 1994. In 1996, Timberlake helped form ‘N Sync with J. C. Chasez, another singer from ”The All New Mickey Mouse Club.” The other members of ‘N Sync were Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Joey Fatone. The group’s hugely popular first album, *NSYNC, was released in 1998. It included the hits “I Want You Back” and “Tearin’ Up My Heart.” The group’s albums No Strings Attached (2000) and Celebrity (2001) were also successful. The group broke up in 2002.
Timberlake began performing as a solo artist in 2002. His first album, Justified (2002), featured the hits “Cry Me a River” and “Rock Your Body.” His second album, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006), produced several more hits, including “What Goes Around…Comes Around” and “Summer Love.” Timberlake’s third album, The 20/20 Experience (2013), produced the hits “Suit & Tie,” featuring Jay-Z; and “Mirrors.” The second installment of that two-part album, The 20/20 Experience, 2 of 2, was also released in 2013. Both albums became number-one hits.
As an actor, Timberlake has appeared in a number of motion pictures, including Edison (2005); Alpha Dog and Black Snake Moan (both 2006); Southland Tales (2007); The Open Road (2009); The Social Network (2010); Bad Teacher, Friends with Benefits, and In Time (all 2011); Trouble with the Curve (2012); and Inside Llewyn Davis and Runner Runner (both 2013). He also provided the voice of the character Artie in the popular animated film Shrek the Third (2007), the voice of Boo-Boo Bear in the animated film Yogi Bear (2010), and the voice of the troll character Branch in the animated film Trolls (2016). Timberlake has also had roles on several television shows, including a number of appearances on the variety program “Saturday Night Live.” In 2011, Timberlake gained an ownership stake in the social networking website Myspace. He married the American actress Jessica Biel in 2012.
