Roger Clinton Jr.

Roger Clinton Jr., born on July 25, 1956, is an American actor and musician. He is known for being the younger half-brother of William Jefferson Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States.

Early Life and Family Background:

Roger Clinton Jr. was born in the United States to Roger Clinton Sr., a car salesman, and Virginia Dell Cassidy, a nurse. As an only child from his parents, he had an elder half-brother, Bill Clinton. During his childhood, Bill Clinton often had to intervene to protect him from their father, who was reported to be abusive and an alcoholic.

Education:

Details regarding Clinton’s formal education are not specified in the available information.

Career:

Acting:

Roger Clinton Jr. has appeared in minor roles in several films, including "Bio-Dome" and "Fred Claus." He has also guest-starred on television shows such as "The Nanny" (as himself, portraying a neighbor), "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch," and "Cybill." Additionally, he provided the voice for his half-brother, President Bill Clinton, in the pilot episode of "The Blues Brothers: The Animated Series."

Music:

Clinton pursued a career in music, developing his singing talents under the management of Butch Stone, an Arkansas-based music industry figure. He gained experience by singing warm-ups for audience tapings of the sitcom "Designing Women" and by working as a lounge singer. In 1992, a deal was struck by Stone and attorney Stann Findelle, leading to Clinton’s initial contract with Atlantic Records. His debut album, "Nothing Good Comes Easy," was released in September 1993 under the Pyramid/Atlantic/Rhino label.

In December 1999, Clinton and his band performed in Pyongyang, North Korea, collaborating with both North and South Korean musical acts. He has participated in events such as Farm Aid and performed the song "Feelin' Alright" during "The Cleveland Funeral," a program associated with "The Howard Stern Show."

Personal Life:

Roger Clinton Jr. has a daughter, Macy, born in 1992, with Martha Spivey. On March 26, 1994, he married Molly D'Ann Martin. Their son, Tyler Cassidy Clinton, was born on May 12, 1994.

Legal and Controversies:

Presidency:

During his brother Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign and administration, Clinton was assigned the Secret Service codename "Headache" due to controversial behavior.

2001 Pardons and Legal Issues:

In 2001, it was reported that Clinton received $50,000 and a Rolex watch in 1999 from the children of Rosario Gambino, a convicted Sicilian mobster and member of the Gambino crime family serving a 49-year sentence, in exchange for lobbying his brother for Gambino’s pardon. Clinton visited the federal parole commission multiple times advocating for Gambino. Gambino was considered for a pardon in 1999 but was ultimately not granted one.

In January 2001, Clinton was granted a controversial presidential pardon for a 1985 cocaine possession and drug-trafficking conviction. He had previously served time in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute cocaine, following a sting operation.

DUI Incidents:

In August 2001, Clinton pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor reckless driving charge in Hermosa Beach, California, after prosecutors dropped two DUI charges and an additional charge of disturbing the peace. He was sentenced to two years' probation, with conditions including abstaining from alcohol and drugs while driving, and paying approximately $1,350 in fines and costs.

He was arrested for DUI again on June 5, 2016, in Redondo Beach, California. Since it had been over ten years since his previous DUI, the arrest was treated as a first-time offense under California law. Clinton pleaded no contest to driving while impaired; charges of driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or higher were dismissed. He was sentenced to three years' probation, two days in jail for refusing a chemical test, and was fined nearly $2,000 including court fees and penalties. He was also required to attend a nine-month alcohol education program and install ignition interlock devices in all vehicles he owned for at least five months.

Filmography:

Clinton's work includes appearances in films, television shows, and voice roles for video games. Specific titles include "Bio-Dome," "Fred Claus," and guest roles on television series.

External Resources:

Additional information about Roger Clinton Jr. can be found on his IMDb page.