Why Daddy Warbucks From Annie Live! Looks So Familiar

One of the most enduring musicals of all time remains "Annie." The story of a precocious orphan who finds herself in the lap of luxury, all while trying to track her birth parents down, feels just as resonant today as it did back in the 1970s. With toe-tapping musical numbers like "It's the Hard Knock Life" and "Tomorrow," new generations continue to be re-introduced to the story of little orphan Annie, most recently with the live NBC production of "Annie Live!"

The show aired on December 2, 2021, bringing new sensibilities to the classic story. It also introduced audiences far and wide to the immense talent of Celina Smith as Annie. It may have been her big break, but she received backup from plenty of recognizable stars, including Taraji P. Henson, Nicole Scherzinger, and Harry Connick, Jr. All of them have experience with singing, but Connick actually got his start in the music business before moving onto a litany of acting projects. Here's where you may have seen the famous singer before.

Harry Connick, Jr. is one of the most successful male singers in the United States. If you know him from anywhere, it's probably from his massive collection of music dating back to his first vocal album, "20," which came out in 1988. He's continued releasing vocal, instrumental, and live albums over the decades, selling over 28 million albums worldwide. It makes sense why his presence in "Annie Live!" is such a breath of fresh air to have someone of his caliber take on the role of Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks. 

His most recent offering is the 2021 album "Alone With My Faith." As described by the Tennessean, it's a "profoundly personal album focused on religious faith." Connick would later describe how faith influenced his music, stating, "Faith and religion were always present for me in New Orleans ... It just seemed to be a common thread throughout the diversity that is New Orleans. It was empowering because that was truth. It gave me a great sense of comfort." Connick always manages to surprise with his musical offerings, so his fans are undoubtedly excited to see what he comes out with next.

A successful career in the music industry might be enough for some, but Harry Connick, Jr. has also made moves in Hollywood. After all, it's not like his role in "Annie Live!" is his first time taking on an acting part. Outside of music videos, he made his acting debut in the 1990 film "Memphis Belle." From there, he went on to star in the likes of "Copycat," "Independence Day," and "The Iron Giant." 

Then, in 2002, he landed the role of Leo Markus in "Will & Grace." It's a part he would reprise numerous times over the years, including when the show came back for a revival in 2017. He even did a short interview discussing what it was like to return to the role so many people know him from. When talking to The Insider, he stated, "When I tell you that it was exactly the same. I mean, it was exactly the same. Anybody who had the slightest doubt that the show would not be funny or entertaining, they got another thing coming." 

Between touring and starring in the likes of "Annie Live!," it's clear Connick is one of the busiest men in the business right now. You never know where he'll pop up next, but you can be confident it will always be a delight.