Jimmy Osmond facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jimmy Osmond
Osmond in 1974
Born	James Arthur Osmond (1963-04-16) April 16, 1963 (age 62) Canoga Park, California, U.S.
Occupation	Singer, businessman
Spouse(s)	Michelle Larson ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	4
Parents	George Osmond (father) Olive Osmond (mother)
Musical career
Genres	Pop
Years active	1967–2018
Associated acts	The Osmonds

James Arthur Osmond (born April 16, 1963) is an American singer and a successful businessman. He is famous for being the youngest member of the musical family group, The Osmonds. As a solo singer, Jimmy has earned six gold records, one platinum record, and two gold albums. This means his music sold a lot of copies!

Early Life and Family

Jimmy Osmond was born on April 16, 1963, in Canoga Park, California. He is the ninth and youngest child of Olive and George Osmond. He has many older brothers and sisters: Virl, Tom, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay, Donny, and Marie. Jimmy was the only Osmond sibling not born in the family's main hometown of Ogden, Utah. Because he started performing at a young age, he had special tutors to help him with his schoolwork.

Music Career

Jimmy Osmond started his music career very early. He received his first gold record when he was just five years old. This was for a song he recorded in Japanese called "My Little Darling." He was the first Osmond family member to achieve this honor.

In 1972, Jimmy recorded the song "Long Haired Lover from Liverpool." This song became a huge hit! The Guinness Book of World Records recognized him as the youngest performer to have a number one song on the UK Singles Chart. In Japan, people knew him as "Jimmy Boy."

In 2012, Jimmy sang lead vocals on The Osmonds' album I Can't Get There Without You. This was special because his older brother Merrill usually sang lead for the band. In live shows, Jimmy often sings along with Merrill.

Acting and Business

Jimmy Osmond has also acted in movies and TV shows. In 1978, he starred in the movie The Great Brain. He also appeared in two episodes of the TV series Fame. He often performed on stage and television with his older brothers and sister.

Beyond performing, Jimmy is also a successful businessman. He is the president of Osmond Entertainment. He has helped manage most of the Osmonds' merchandise. He has also produced many hours of TV shows for channels like ABC, PBS, the BBC, and the Disney Channel.

Stage Performances

Jimmy has performed in many musical plays. Like his brother Donny, he starred in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. He also performed in Boogie Nights in 2004. In 2005, his show Jimmy Osmond's American Jukebox Show toured the UK.

He has also appeared in traditional British pantomime shows. These are fun, musical plays often performed around Christmas.

• From 2010 to 2011, he played Buttons in Cinderella.
• From 2011 to 2012, he played Wishee Washee in Aladdin.
• From 2017 to 2018, he played Abanzar in another Aladdin pantomime.

TV Appearances

Jimmy has been on several TV shows in the UK.

• In 2005, he was on the reality TV series I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, finishing in fourth place.
• In 2006, he appeared on All Star Family Fortunes.
• He was also on a celebrity version of Come Dine with Me.
• In 2010, Jimmy took part in the TV show Popstar to Operastar.
• In 2016, he was a finalist on the UK version of Celebrity Masterchef.

Other Projects

In 2014, Jimmy Osmond wrote a children's picture book called Awesome Possum Family Band. The same year, he started managing the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri. He was in charge of producing and booking shows there.

In 2015, Iowa Wesleyan University gave Jimmy an honorary doctorate degree. This was a special award for his achievements. He was the first Osmond family member to receive this honor.

Personal Life

Jimmy Osmond married Michelle Larson in 1992. They have four children together.

In December 2018, after a performance, Jimmy had a stroke. He had a previous stroke in 2004. In April 2019, he shared that he was recovering well and taking a break from performing. As of 2024, his nephew Nathan shared that Jimmy is happily retired and enjoying time with his family.

Discography

Albums

• Little Jimmy Osmond (Japan, 1972)
• Killer Joe (1972)
• Little Arrows (1975)
• Kimi Wa Pretty (Japan, 1981)
• Siempre Tu (in Spanish; Mexico, 1985)
• Keep the Fire Burnin’ (US 2000, UK 2001)
• Moon River & Me (2016)

Singles

Singles released in other countries

• "My Little Darling" / "Peg o' My Heart" (Japan)
• "Chuk Chuk" / "Jimmy's Lullaby" (Japan)
• "Jingle Bells" / "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" (Japan)
• "Red Roses for a Blue Lady" (Sweden)
• "Happy Robbers" / "I Found a Little Happiness" (Japan)
• "Goodbye Mr. Tears" / "Put Your Hand in the Hand"
• "Kimi Wa Pretty" / "Tokyo Savannah" (Japan)
• "Long Distance" / "After All" (Japan)
• "Living in Love" / "One More Chance" (Japan)
• "Siempre Tu" (Mexico)
• "Dos en Uno" (Mexico)
• "Otono y Primavera" / "Tu Me Haces Falta" (Mexico)
• "Shine"

Soundtracks

• The Osmonds (animated TV series, 1972)
• Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (1974)
• Hugo the Hippo (1976)
• The Great Brain (1978)

Filmography

Television

• The Osmonds (1972) – animated TV series
• The NBC Saturday Morning Preview Revue (1974)
• Donny & Marie (1976–1979)
• Nichiyō Owarai Gekijyō (日曜お笑い劇場, lit. "Sunday Comedy Theater") (1981) - Nippon TV
• Fame (1982)
• The Love Boat (1982)
• The Love Boat (1985)
• Inside the Osmonds (2001)
• We Are Family (2003)
• Branson Jubilee (2005)
• I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (2005)
• All Star Family Fortunes (2006)
• Celebrity Come Dine with Me
• Never Mind The Buzzcocks (2011)
• Celebrity Bedlam (2012)
• Celebrity MasterChef (2016)
• Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (2016)
• Countdown (2017)
• A Christmas Chase: Celebrity Special (2017)
• Celebrity Pointless (2017)

Films

• The Great Brain (1978) based on the book by John D. Fitzgerald, portraying title character.
• Hugo the Hippo (1976), singer

Images for kids

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  Osmond in 1974