Where Are the Osmonds Brothers Now?
With the passing of Wayne Osmond on Jan 1. 2025, one-time singer from the Osmonds, you might be wondering whatever happened to the other members of the ’70s biggest (literally and figuratively) musical family.
Merrill, Marie and Wayne Osmond; Center (L-R): Donny, George, Olive and Jimmy Osmond; Back (L-R): Virl, Jay, Alan and Tom Osmond. ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Virl Osmond (79)
Eldest Osmond Virl didn’t participate in the family music business for a tragic reason — he has hearing difficulties that impede his ability to sing or play music. Because of this, Virl spent his childhood more focus on farming duties in the Osmond household, rather than singing. But he went on to make his mark other ways — he left high school to help manage the Osmonds in the ’70s, and has produced several films, including the 2001 TV movie Inside the Osmonds. He was also, along with his brother Tom, the first deaf missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Tom Osmond (L) and his brother Virl Osmond in 2007. Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Tom Osmond (77)
Like his older brother Virl, Tom was born with hearing difficulties — though while Virl has some hearing, Tom is almost completely deaf. This became an inspiration for their younger siblings, who were first moved to start a family band because they wanted to raise money to help buy hearing aids for Tom and Virl.
Tom, along with Virl, can be seen in a handful of Osmond family specials. But unlike his siblings, Tom has sought a life pretty far out of the spotlight — he had a 28-year career in the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 2014.
Alan Osmond (75)
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Alan was the oldest brother to participate in the Osmonds musical group, and helped form it when it was a barbershop quartet consisting of Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay. After being turned down for an audition on The Lawrence Welk Show, they were hired to work in Disneyland and caught the eye of Andy Williams’ father, who booked them to perform on The Andy Williams Show, in 1962. The Osmonds raised their profiles, appearing frequently on the show (and adding younger brother Donny) between 1962 and 1967, when the show’s first run ended. In the late ’60s, they decided to become a rock band, eventually scoring a major hit with 1971’s “One Bad Apple.”
Because of his age, he was in some ways the group’s creative leader. He co-wrote many of the band’s songs with brother Merrill, co-produced their albums, and helped with choreography. He went on to executive produce the Donny & Marie variety show in the ’70s. However, he usually only sang backing vocals on the group’s recordings.
In 1987, Alan was diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis, which eventually led him to stop performing with the band. He joined them for what he said was his final performance with the band in 2018.
Though he was briefly involved with Karen Carpenter, he has been married to his wife Suzanne since 1974. Their eight sons perform as the Osmond Brothers Second Generation.
Wayne Osmond (d. Jan 1. 2025)
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Wayne Osmond, who died at 73, sang and played guitar in the Osmonds, and was a member of the original barbershop quartet. He had perfect pitch, but tragically, a surgery to remove a brain tumor in 1997 severely damaged his hearing. He also experienced a stroke in 2012 that took away his ability to play the guitar, causing him to formally retire from performing. Wayne married his wife, Kathryn, in 1974, and had five children.
Merrill Osmond (71)
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Merrill, a member of the original Osmonds barbershop quartet, shared lead vocal duties with brother Donny in the Osmonds. He also played bass, and co-wrote many of the bands songs with his brother Alan.
In the ’80s, Merrill began pursuing a country music career, and had one major hit, “You’re Here to Remember (I’m Here to Forget),” a duet with Jessica Boucher. He retired from performing in 2022, though he played his final show in 2024. Merrill married his wife, Mary, in 1973, and shares six children with her — one of whom was born with hearing difficulties, like Tom and Virl.
Jay Osmond (69)
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A member of the original Osmonds barbershop quartet, Jay drummed in the Osmonds, but also sang lead on the 1972 hit “Crazy Horses.” He wrote the story for the 2022 musical The Osmonds, which told the story of the band member’s lives. It was performed in London and in a touring UK production in 2022.
Today, Jay frequently plays live shows as a solo artist in Branson, Missouri. He was married to Kandilyn Harris from 1987 to 2011, a marriage that produced three sons. He has been married to Karen Randall since 2014.
Donny Osmond (67)
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After performing with his older brothers for the first time at age 5, Donny became the breakout star of the Osmonds and one of the most popular teen heartthrobs of the ’70s. He also co-starred on the show Donny & Marie with younger sister Marie from 1976 through 1979.
In the ’80s, Donny pursued a pop solo career, scoring an enormous hit in 1989 with the song “Soldier of Love” and his follow-up eponymous album. He also made a name for himself in musical theater, most notably as the star of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
From to he co-hosted the TV talk show Donny & Marie, again with little sis Marie, from 1998 to 2000. He still performs live and won Dancing with the Stars in 2009.
Marie Osmond (65)
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The only Osmond sister, Marie began her own solo career in 1973 at the age of 14 with the song “Paper Roses,” which became a number-one hit. Starting in 1976, she cohosted Donny & Marie alongside big brother Donny, a gig that quickly made her the second most famous Osmond.
Throughout the ’80s, Marie had three number-one country hits. In the ’90s, she created her own line of dolls, which she sold on QVC. She appeared on Broadway and again teamed up with Donny for the TV talk show Donny & Marie, which ran from 1998 to 2000.
Marie and Donny continued to join forces in the next decades, regularly appearing together in Vegas from 2008 through 2019.
Jimmy Osmond (61)
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The youngest Osmond received a gold record at age five for “My Little Darling,” a song he sang in Japanese. Too young to be a member of the Osmonds, he performed as a solo artist, and acted in TV shows, including multiple episodes of Fame. He’s also appeared in musical theater, starring in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, just like big brother Donny.
A 2018 stroke ended his musical theater career, and he has not spoken publicly since. But he is still active in business, serving as the president of Osmond Entertainment, which oversees the family’s merchandising and also produces TV shows. He married his wife Michelle in 1992; the pair have four children.
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