Nathaniel Joseph Ruess was born on February 26, 1982, in Iowa City, Iowa. He is the younger of two children born to Larry Ruess and Bess Zinger. His older sister is named Elizabeth. Ruess's interest in music and performance was influenced by his uncle, John Ruess, a Broadway performer who served as a mentor during his early career development.
Ruess began his musical journey in the early 2000s as the lead vocalist for The Format, an indie rock band he co-founded. The band gained a dedicated fan base but disbanded in 2008, paving the way for Ruess's next major project.
Following the breakup of The Format, Ruess formed the indie pop band Fun. alongside musicians Jack Antonoff and Andrew Dost. The band achieved widespread acclaim with their sophomore album, Some Nights (2012), which featured hit singles like "We Are Young" and "Some Nights." Fun. earned several Grammy Award nominations, winning Best New Artist and Song of the Year for "We Are Young."
In 2015, Ruess launched his solo career with the release of the album Grand Romantic, featuring the single "Nothing Without Love." The music video for “Take It Back,” another track from the album, featured actor Patrick Fischler and highlighted Ruess’s dynamic stage presence and distinctive vocal style.
Ruess also made public appearances as a solo artist, including a performance during the first intermission of the 2016 NHL Winter Classic held at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
| Height: | 5' 9" |
| Girlfriend: | Charlotte Ronson |
| Profession: | American singer-songwriter |
| Children: | 1 |
| Date of Birth: | February 26, 1982 |
| Birth Place: | Iowa City, IA |
| Net Worth 2020: | 10 million |
| Net Worth 2021: | 10 million |
