5 Things You Never Knew About Jimmy Osmond, Plus: Where Is He Now?

Lauren Novak April 16, 2:57 pm

10 year old Jimmy Osmond custom image — Michael Putland/Getty Images)

Born on April 16, 1963, Jimmy Osmond is best known as the youngest member of the Osmond family, who rose to fame in the late ’60s and ’70s with their family band and hit TV appearances. Now 62 years old, Jimmy has been in show business nearly his entire life, debuting on television at just three years old. While his older brothers — Donny, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay — formed the original Osmond Brothers group, Jimmy also carved out his own niche as a solo performer. Alongside his siblings, he grew up performing on a slew of variety shows and specials, quickly becoming a household name in both the U.S. and the UK.

In honor of his special day, let’s learn some fascinating facts about him:

1 Still holds a record he set as a child

American singer and actor Jimmy Osmond, UK, November 1972

Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

In 1972, at just nine years old, Jimmy became the youngest person to reach number one on the UK Singles Chart with his hit “Long Haired Lover from Liverpool.” The song held the top spot for five weeks, including the coveted Christmas number-one position, and has since sold over a million copies in the UK. That record still stands today!

2 Recorded in Japanese

Singers Jimmy and Marie Osmond of American singing family The Osmonds perform a hoedown song during the Osmond Family UK TV special at Shepherd's Bush in London, UK, 17th August 1974

Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

At the age of five, Jimmy received a gold record for a song he recorded in Japanese titled “My Little Darling,” making him the first American to achieve such a feat in Japan. He helped the Osmond family reach audiences in other countries, securing their worldwide fame.

3 Became a producer

John Phillips/Getty Images; Keystone/Getty Images

Beyond singing, Jimmy has showcased his talents in various entertainment avenues. He has performed in musical theater productions like Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Boogie Nights (unrelated to the film of the same name). Additionally, he has produced numerous television programs for networks such as ABC, PBS, BBC and the Disney Channel.

4 Released an adorable children’s book

Amazon

In 2014, Jimmy authored a children’s picture book, Awesome Possum Family Band, with a story that draws parallels to his own life, focusing on a young possum’s journey to find his unique talent within a musical family. For every book sold, a copy was donated to a Children’s Miracle Network hospital library.

5 Health issues

Entertainer Jimmy Osmond participates in a meet and greet with fans at the Orleans Hotel & Casino August 13, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The members of the Osmond family have reunited to film a television special for PBS called, "The Osmond 50th Anniversary, starring The Osmond Brothers, with special guests Donny, Marie, and Jimmy," which is scheduled to air in the U.S. in March 2008

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Jimmy suffered from a stroke on December 27, 2018, following a performance as Captain Hook in the Birmingham Hippodrome’s staging of Peter Pan. This was actually his second stroke; his first occurred in 2004, the result of a congenital heart defect, which was later corrected. In April 2019, Jimmy spoke publicly for the first time after the 2018 incident, saying he was in good health and taking a long-overdue break from show business. While he hasn’t spoken publicly since, he quietly continued managing his business ventures, including running the Andy Williams Performing Arts Center in Missouri until its closure in 2022. These days, he is reportedly happily retired and enjoying life as a family man with his wife, four children and many grandchildren.

Tell us, who is your favorite Osmond?