Wayne Osmond Dies: Founding Member Of The Osmond Singing Group Was 73

Wayne Osmond, an original member of the Osmonds singing group, has died. He was 73.

“My dear brother Wayne passed away peacefully last night from a stroke. I’m so grateful that I had the opportunity to visit him in the hospital before he passed,” wrote Donny Osmond on Instagram. “Wayne brought so much light, laughter, and love to everyone who knew him, especially me. He was the ultimate optimist and was loved by everyone.”

“I’m sure I speak on behalf of every one of us siblings when I state that we were fortunate to have Wayne as a brother,” Donny added. “Even though we are separated in this mortal life, I know that by the grace and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will have the opportunity to be with Wayne for eternity.”

Born August 28, 1951 in Ogden, Utah, Wayne Osmond was the fourth oldest of nine Osmond children, and an original member of The Osmonds singing group (which was comprised of siblings Alan, Wayne, Merrill and Jay Osmond). Donny Osmond later joined and the group skyrocketed to fame in the 1970s.

At the beginning, in 1958, the brothers began singing as a barbershop quartet. They were discovered in 1961 by Jay Emerson Williams, the father of Andy Williams, at a performance in Disneyland, and began appearing on NBC’s musical variety-themed The Andy Williams Show.

The brothers also acted together on a recurring basis opposite then 12-year old Kurt Russell in the 1963-64 primetime ABC western, The Travels of Jaimie McPheeters. Wayne played young Leviticus Kissel.

In the 1970s, Wayne and his brothers were frequent guests on the ABC primetime variety hour Donny & Marie, hosted by siblings Donny and Marie Osmond. Midway through the fourth season, the show was retitled The Osmond Family Show.

In the 1980s, Wayne returned with Alan, Merrill and Jay as a country act and had a handful of hits (including “I Think About Your Lovin’”). But in the mid-1990s he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and lost much of his hearing. A stroke in 2012 left him unable to play guitar.

Wayne Osmond married Kathlyn White in 1974. They had five children.

“I am having a hard time expressing the depth of my sadness that I won’t have my ‘twin’ in my life for a while,” wrote Wayne’s daughter Amy on Facebook. “But I am so grateful for the time I was able to spend with him. I am grateful for the incredible memories. I am grateful for his strength, loyalty to our family, incredible talent and energy, and most of all, his love. I look forward to the day when I can see him again on the other side. I love you, Dad.”