Introduction:
When FOX 13 premiered Monarch, the new drama about a fictional first family of country music starring Susan Sarandon and Trace Adkins, the show sparked a natural question: What about America’s real first families of entertainment?
In Utah, the answer has always been clear — the Osmonds.
From a Barbershop Quartet to a Global Phenomenon
It all began in the early 1960s, when Alan, Wayne, Merrill, and Jay Osmond became regulars on The Andy Williams Show. Their wholesome harmonies, charisma, and family unity quickly made them national favorites. Soon, their younger brother Donny joined in, and the youngest sibling, little Marie, completed the act.
What started in Ogden, Utah, as a humble effort to afford hearing aids for their two older brothers, soon became a worldwide entertainment dynasty.
“Performing is in our DNA,” one family member said proudly. And decades later, that remains true.
Growing Up Osmond
At Rock Canyon Studios in Provo, members of the second generation gathered recently to reflect on what it means to grow up in a family synonymous with show business.
“For us, it’s a blessing,” said one of the younger Osmonds. “We’re fortunate to have that name and to use it for good. But we still have to be creative — we still have to earn our place.”
Another added, “It’s pretty remarkable. We were born into this hurricane, this three-ring circus. People ask all the time what it was like growing up that way — but we didn’t know anything different.”
Their family even holds a Guinness World Record for the most-watched variety television show. That’s a legacy few can match.
Behind the Spotlight: The Challenges They Faced
Like any family, the Osmonds have faced storms behind their smiles.
There have been marriage breakups, financial hardships, and health struggles — including Merrill and Alan’s battles with multiple sclerosis, and Donny’s very public journey with social anxiety disorder. Jimmy Osmond, one of the younger brothers, suffered a stroke nearly four years ago.
“These challenges taught us something important,” one family member reflected. “No one is immune. You can have all the success in the world and still face struggles behind closed doors. We’re just normal people. We’re a regular family — we just happen to do it in the entertainment industry.”
Through it all, their love for each other has remained the family’s anchor.
Resilience, Reinvention, and Redemption
The Osmonds’ history is a masterclass in reinvention. They’ve evolved from barbershop harmonizers to pop idols, from Broadway performers to country crooners.
“When you open and close a Broadway show in the same night, that’s tough,” one of them joked. “But then to go up to Toronto and see my uncle get a standing ovation — with Andrew Lloyd Webber watching — that’s redemption.”
Their ability to adapt and persevere, even after setbacks, has been a cornerstone of their longevity. “If you’re a marketing genius or a performer, you have to keep reinventing yourself,” another Osmond explained. “They went from a barbershop quartet to a pop band, to Broadway, to country — and they did it with class.”
A New Generation, New Dreams
Today, the second generation has carved its own path. Some continue in music and theater; others have moved into business, film, or tech.
“I’ve got a big band called The Chapman Orchestra,” one said. “I get to tour with Aunt Marie — that’s special.”
Another added, “I’m doing film work now, acting in New York, and running my own production company.” Others have ventured into marketing, real estate, and entrepreneurship.
Still, the family bond endures. “Growing up with famous parents can be complicated,” one of the younger Osmonds admitted. “There was a moment when Donny Osmond and my dad crossed paths in my house — and it hit me hard. I’d always separated my dad from the celebrity. But seeing both sides collide broke that wall. I realized they were both the same person — and I loved both.”
He smiled, remembering a call from Michael Jackson after the death of the Osmond patriarch, George Osmond. “Dad was talking to me when the phone rang. I heard this high-pitched voice say, ‘Hey Tony, I just wanted to say I’m sorry about your dad.’ I realized the King of Pop had called my father — not the other way around. It was surreal.”
Faith, Family, and Showbiz — In That Order
Throughout the decades, the Osmonds have held to one unshakable hierarchy: faith first, family second, show business third.
“When our grandparents started all this, they laid down the rule — faith, family, then showbiz. If that’s ever out of order, we’re in trouble,” one said. “That’s probably the real secret to the family’s success.”
Still Standing After Sixty Years
After nearly six decades in the entertainment business, the Osmonds’ story is still unfolding. From The Andy Williams Show to Las Vegas residencies, from pop hits to Broadway lights, their journey remains one of perseverance, love, and unity.
They’ve weathered storms, reinvented themselves, and lifted each other through triumphs and heartbreaks.
Because for the Osmonds — Utah’s real first family of entertainment — the show never really ends. It just finds a new stage.
Video:
https://youtu.be/WxoGlpmpb6U?si=uGb8XRR8JoVLogxB