Jon Bon Jovi celebrates 50th birthday

Washington, Mar 2 (ANI): Jon Bon Jovi hits a half century as he celebrates his 50th birthday on Friday.

Born John Francis Bongiovi, Jr in New Jersey in 1962, the singer/songwriter has become a rock icon thanks to his hitmaking supergroup Bon Jovi, Contactmusic reported.

He has acted in films like 'The Leading Man', 'Pay It Forward', 'New Year's Eve', and is also a top humanitarian.

As he touches 50, US radio station WENN trawled through the archives to find 10 fascinating facts about the rocker.

Jon Bon Jovi was a majority owner of the Philadelphia Soul, a US Arena Football League team.

He was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Monmouth University in 2001.

He claims to be a blood relative of Frank Sinatra.

His band Bon Jovi won a Golden Globe for the song 'Blaze of Glory', and was also nominated for Oscar.

He has four children, aged seven to 19.

In 2006, Bon Jovi made a 1-million-dollar donation to build homes in Louisiana, a year after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the state.

In December 2010, Bon Jovi was appointed to the new White House Council for Community Solutions by President Barack Obama. As a member of the council, he will oversee the enlistment of leaders in the non-profit, private, and philanthropic sectors to make progress on key policy goals. He will also honour and highlight those making a significant impact in their own communities.

He suffers from sensitive eyes and struggles in bright sunlight and smoky atmospheres. That's why he often wears sunglasses. During the spring he suffers allergies and hay fever.

He was elected into the 2008 New Jersey Hall of Fame for his services to arts, entertainment and philanthropy.

His favourite movie is 'The Godfather'. (ANI)