Donny Osmond facts for kids

{{Infobox person | name = Donny Osmond | image = Donny_Osmond_(OTRS).jpg | imagesize = | caption = Osmond in 2010 | birth_name = Donald Clark Osmond | alias = | birth_date = (1957-12-09) December 9, 1957 (age 67) | birth_place = Ogden, Utah, U.S. | spouse =

| occupation =

| years_active = 1963–present | children = 5

| module = Musical career

Donald Clark Osmond (born December 9, 1957) is an American singer, actor, and TV host who first became famous as a teen idol. He started his career singing with four of his older brothers in the group the Osmonds. The group had many hit songs and gold albums.

In the early 1970s, Donny began a solo career and had several more hit songs. He became even more famous when he hosted the TV show Donny & Marie with his sister, Marie Osmond, from 1976 to 1979. The duo also released hit songs and albums together. For 11 years, they had a popular show in Las Vegas, which ended in 2019.

Donny has also appeared on reality TV shows. He won season 9 of Dancing with the Stars and was the runner-up on the first season of The Masked Singer as the Peacock. From 2002 to 2004, he hosted the game show Pyramid.

Contents

• Early Life and Family
• Music Career

• A Teen Star is Born
• Making a Comeback
• Singing for Disney and Beyond

• Television and Film

• The Donny & Marie Show
• Hosting Game Shows
• Famous TV Appearances

• Winning 'Dancing with the Stars'
• Stage and Theater Career
• Personal Life
• Discography
• See also

Early Life and Family

Donny Osmond was born in Ogden, Utah. He was the seventh of nine children. His parents were Olive and George Osmond. Five of the brothers—Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, and Donny—formed the famous singing group, The Osmonds.

The Osmond family were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Donny and his siblings grew up in Utah. As a kid, he also had a license to operate a ham radio.

Music Career

A Teen Star is Born

Osmond in 1974

The father of singer Andy Williams saw the Osmond Brothers singing on a TV special about Disneyland. He invited them to be on The Andy Williams Show. At first, Andy Williams wasn't sure about having kids on his show, but his father convinced him. The brothers became regulars and were very popular. In 1963, a six-year-old Donny made his first appearance, singing "You Are My Sunshine".

In the early 1970s, Donny became a huge teen idol. He was featured on the covers of magazines like Tiger Beat and 16. His first solo hit was "Sweet and Innocent" in 1971. He followed that with number one hits like "Go Away Little Girl" and "Puppy Love," which made him famous all over the world.

Making a Comeback

In the 1980s, Donny wanted to appeal to an older audience. He changed his style and worked with famous musicians like Peter Gabriel. In 1989, he made a big comeback with the song "Soldier of Love". At first, radio stations played the song without saying who the singer was. It became a huge hit, reaching number 2 on the charts.

Singing for Disney and Beyond

The Osmonds in the Netherlands (1973)

Donny has continued to make music. He sang the powerful song "I'll Make a Man Out of You" for the Disney movie Mulan. He also recorded a Christmas album and an album of his favorite Broadway songs.

In 2004, his song "Breeze On By" became a top 10 hit in the United Kingdom. His 2015 album, The Soundtrack of My Life, featured songs that were important to him, including a duet with Stevie Wonder.

Television and Film

The Donny & Marie Show

Osmond with his sister Marie in 1977

In 1974, Donny and his sister Marie co-hosted The Mike Douglas Show for a week. A TV executive saw them and offered them their own show. The Donny & Marie Show was a variety show that aired on ABC from 1976 to 1979. It was a mix of comedy sketches and music.

From 1998 to 2000, Donny and Marie hosted another show, a talk show also called Donny & Marie. They were nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for their hosting.

Hosting Game Shows

Donny hosted the game show Pyramid in the U.S. from 2002 to 2004. He also hosted a British version of the show in 2007. He was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for his work on Pyramid. He also hosted other shows, including The Great American Dream Vote and the Miss USA Pageant with his sister Marie.

Famous TV Appearances

Donny has guest-starred on many popular TV shows, including Friends, Hannah Montana, and Johnny Bravo, where he voiced a cartoon version of himself.

In 2019, he competed on the first season of The Masked Singer. He was dressed as the Peacock and made it all the way to the finals, finishing as the runner-up.

Winning 'Dancing with the Stars'

"Donny & Marie" marquee at the Flamingo Las Vegas

In 2009, Donny competed on season 9 of Dancing with the Stars with his professional partner, Kym Johnson. He said he wanted to prove he was a better dancer than his sister Marie, who had competed on the show before.

Throughout the season, Donny performed many different dances, from the foxtrot to the Argentine tango. The judges sometimes gave him tough scores, but he kept improving. In the finals, he performed a freestyle dance that earned a perfect score of 30. He won the competition, becoming the oldest winner at the time.

Stage and Theater Career

Osmond in 1998

Donny has had a successful career in musical theater. In the 1990s, he starred as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He performed in the show over 2,000 times. The creator of the musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber, personally chose Donny to star in the 1999 film version.

In 2006, he returned to Broadway to play the villain Gaston in Disney's Beauty and the Beast. He was so popular in the role that his time on the show was extended. He and Marie also starred in a popular Christmas show on Broadway.

Personal Life

On May 8, 1978, Donny married Debra Glenn. They have five sons: Don, Jeremy, Brandon, Chris, and Josh. As of 2025, they have 16 grandchildren. His son Chris appeared on the reality show Claim to Fame in 2023.

Donny's two oldest brothers, Virl and Tom, are deaf. He has spoken about how his family used sign language when they performed together so his brothers could feel the beat and stay in tempo.

Discography

Donny has released many albums over his long career. Some of his solo studio albums include:

• The Donny Osmond Album (1971)
• To You with Love, Donny (1971)
• Portrait of Donny (1972)
• Too Young (1972)
• Alone Together (1973)
• Donny (1974)
• Donny Osmond (1989)
• Eyes Don't Lie (1990)
• This Is the Moment (2001)
• What I Meant to Say (2004)
• The Soundtrack of My Life (2015)
• Start Again (2021)

See also

In Spanish: Donny Osmond para niños