The Osmonds star Wayne Osmond has passed away at the age of 73, his family confirmed. He died on New Year’s Day, leaving behind a legacy cherished by many.
“Wayne Osmond, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his loving wife and five children,” his family shared in their statement. They continued to honour him by saying, “His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world.”
Wayne’s family also reflected on his values and his sense of humour: “He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly,” they expressed to KTVX.
Born in Ogden, Utah, in 1951, Wayne joined his brothers to become part of the barbershop quartet that would evolve into fame. He married Kathlyn White, former Miss Davis County Fair and Miss Utah, in 1974 and together they had five children.
Wayne faced health challenges; a 1997 brain tumour led to treatment that significantly impaired his hearing by damaging his cochlea, and in 2012, a stroke prevented him from playing the guitar, reports the Mirror.
A respected figure in the entertainment industry, Wayne was the second-eldest member of the original Osmond Brothers singers and the fourth-oldest of the nine children in the Osmond family. The Osmonds shot to stardom in the 1970s with members including Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay, captivating audiences worldwide with their music.
The group was initially known as the Osmond Brothers, but changed its name to the Osmonds when Donny joined. They achieved huge success as teen idols and rock band between 1971 and 1975.
Their sister Marie also enjoyed a successful solo career and performed duets with Donny. In 1976, the group’s popularity began to wane, prompting a shift to television with the popular variety show Donny and Marie, which aired until 1979.
The Osmond Brothers experienced a resurgence in the 1980s, achieving moderate success in country music and ultimately selling over 77 million records worldwide. The quartet continued to perform until their 50th anniversary in 2007, when Alan and later Wayne retired due to health issues.
Jimmy joined the group after Alan’s retirement, and they performed as a trio until Jimmy suffered a stroke and retired in 2018. The original Osmond Brothers quartet reunited for a one-off performance on CBS’ The Talk in 2019, marking Marie’s 60th birthday and billed as their final appearance together, performing their farewell song “The Last Chapter”, which was introduced in 2018.
Donny and Marie concluded their 11-year Las Vegas residency in 2019. In 2022, Merrill announced his retirement to focus on a church mission, leaving Jay as the only original quartet member still performing.
Donny continues his solo performances and in recent years, Alan’s sons have joined their uncles on stage.