Jon Bon Jovi is a rock legend, but beyond his iconic music, he’s also a proud father. His second son, Jacob “Jake” Bongiovi, has been increasingly stepping into the spotlight, and for good reason. Just like his famous dad, Jake is a Jersey boy with a burgeoning career and a high-profile marriage that has everyone talking. Born on May 7, 2002, Jake is the third of Bon Jovi and Dorothea Bongiovi’s four children, slotting in between older siblings Stephanie and Jesse, and younger brother Romeo.
Growing up, Jake and his siblings experienced a childhood largely shielded from the intense glare of fame. This was a deliberate choice by Jon Bon Jovi, who emphasized normalcy for his kids. “[My life is much more normal than one would imagine,” Bon Jovi shared with The Guardian in 2021. “There are no platinum records hanging anywhere in my house. The trappings of rock stardom were never a part of my home … My younger kids weren’t quite sure what I do.” However, Jake is now making his own mark, stepping out from his father’s shadow and into his own light.
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Jersey Roots Run Deep
Despite being born in Palm Beach, Florida, Jake Bongiovi is a Jersey boy through and through, mirroring his father’s upbringing. The Bongiovi family called a sprawling mansion in Middleton, New Jersey, home. Nestled on 15 acres along the scenic Navesink River, it was in this environment that Jake spent his formative years. He attended Pennington High School, further solidifying his Jersey roots by playing football for the school team. Even rockstar dad Jon Bon Jovi made sure to attend Jake’s senior night game in 2019, showing his support.
Activism in His Blood
Beyond athletics, Jake demonstrated a passion for activism from a young age. During his sophomore year in 2018, he played a key role in organizing a student walkout at his high school. This impactful protest, involving 400 students, was a response to the tragic Parkland, Florida, school shooting. The students advocated for stricter gun control measures and a safer learning environment.
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Jake credited his family’s dedication to philanthropy as a major influence on his activism. Speaking to NJ.com, he highlighted his father’s charitable work as a source of inspiration, stating, “He’s (My dad has) really been some sort of an inspiration to me, as well, but I think it was really special that it was more the students inspiring each other. Our bravery spouts from each other.”
Stepping into the Acting Spotlight
While initially planning to study acting at Syracuse University, Jake’s career trajectory took off sooner than expected. Although he attended Syracuse briefly, he didn’t return after his freshman year, possibly due to burgeoning acting opportunities. He made his feature film debut in the 2024 comedy Rockbottom, playing the lead singer of an 80s hair metal band. Interestingly, he sported a wig reminiscent of his father’s iconic 80s hairstyle for the role.
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Director Todd Tucker praised Jake’s natural talent in a promo video for Rockbottom, noting, “Jake is just bringing a level of acting that not only feels authentic and real but it feels like he’s been doing this a long time. And he’s only (21) years old.” Beyond Rockbottom, Jake has also been cast in the comedy Sweethearts alongside Kiernan Shipka of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina fame, further cementing his presence in the acting world.
Married Life with Millie Bobby Brown
Perhaps Jake Bongiovi’s most prominent headline-grabbing role is his marriage to British actress Millie Bobby Brown. Dating rumors began swirling in June 2021 after Jake posted an Instagram photo with Brown, playfully captioning it “bff.” Their relationship quickly blossomed, and they made it Instagram official just a few months later.
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In April 2023, Brown announced their engagement via Instagram, sharing a black-and-white photo showcasing her diamond ring and captioning it with a Taylor Swift lyric, “I’ve loved you three summers now, honey, I want ’em all.” The couple officially tied the knot in a private, intimate ceremony in May 2024, followed by a more lavish wedding celebration in Italy later in the year.
An Adventurous Spirit: Diving Enthusiast
Beyond acting and his high-profile relationship, Jake Bongiovi has a passion for diving. Millie Bobby Brown revealed during a Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon appearance that diving is a shared hobby that brought them closer. They even got their diving licenses together. In a romantic and adventurous proposal, Jake incorporated their shared love for diving by proposing underwater.
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Brown recounted the proposal story, explaining that during a dive at their favorite spot, Jake presented her with a shell containing the engagement ring. In a humorous moment, the ring slipped off her finger and plummeted downwards, but Jake, ever the hero, swiftly retrieved it. Brown described the incident as a “reflection of who he is,” emphasizing their mutual support and reliability.
Dad’s Blessing and Words of Wisdom
Jon Bon Jovi wholeheartedly approves of Jake’s relationship with Millie Bobby Brown. During a Radio Andy interview in 2023, he offered his thoughts on their engagement, stating, “I don’t know if age matters if you find the right partner and you grow together. That would be my advice, really. Growing together is wise.” He expressed his belief in all his children’s partners, sensing their potential for mutual growth.
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In a separate interview with The Times U.K. in April 2024, Bon Jovi further elaborated on his positive view of Millie, noting, “[I’ve gotten to know her] in the last year, she works really hard, and she and Jake will grow together in their own way. It is an accelerated version of what I went through 40 years ago and I think, with the support of family around them, they’re gonna be great together.” With his father’s blessing and his own drive, Jake Bongiovi is undoubtedly a young man to watch, carving his own path while carrying the Bon Jovi legacy forward.
