Wayne Osmond, a key member of the iconic Osmonds sibling group, passed away on Wednesday in Salt Lake City at the age of 73.
In a heartfelt Facebook post, his brother Merrill Osmond shared that Wayne suffered a massive stroke and was able to say his goodbyes at the hospital before he passed away.
The Osmond family released a statement following Wayne’s death: “Wayne Osmond, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving wife and five children. His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter touched lives worldwide. He would want everyone to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, that families are forever, and that banana splits are the best dessert. We love him and will miss him dearly.”
Wayne, known for his deep baritone voice, began performing with his brothers Alan, Merrill, and Jay as the Osmond Brothers in their hometown of Ogden, Utah. Initially performing at their LDS church, the group soon evolved into a barbershop quartet, eventually transitioning to the secular stage. Their big break came after a performance at Disneyland, leading to their television debut on The Andy Williams Show in 1962, where they became regular performers.
In 1970, the group expanded with the addition of younger brother Donny, transforming the Osmonds into a quintet. This move coincided with the group adopting their new name, “The Osmonds.” Later, sister Marie and youngest sibling Jimmy joined the group, with Donny and Marie launching a successful duo act. Jimmy also pursued a solo career, while the original Osmond Brothers returned to their quartet roots in the 1980s. Wayne remained an active member until 2007.
In the early 1970s, during the group’s peak, The Osmonds achieved significant success. They earned five gold albums, including Phase III (1972), which made it into the top 10 of the Billboard 200. The group also scored several hit singles, such as “One Bad Apple” (1970), which topped the charts, and “Yo-Yo,” “Down by the Lazy River,” and “Love Me for a Reason,” all of which reached the top 10 of the Hot 100. While their chart presence waned by 1976, The Osmonds enjoyed a resurgence in country music in the 1980s.
Wayne opened up about his health struggles in a 2004 interview with Coping With Cancer magazine. He discussed his battle with a childhood brain tumor and his subsequent recovery from a misdiagnosed recurrence of the cancer, which was later identified as ependymoma, a rare and often fatal form of childhood cancer. Wayne remained positive throughout the ordeal, returning to the stage just six months after his diagnosis. “I wore my cowboy hat on stage since all my hair had fallen out from radiation. But after a while, it grew back,” he recalled.
He also expressed deep gratitude for his wife, Kathy, who supported him during his illness. “She’s an absolute angel,” Wayne said. “I’m a very, very blessed man. That’s what I am. … I look back at it and think to myself, I’m glad that I got cancer. It really opened up my eyes.”
Despite these health challenges, including a loss of nearly all his hearing due to cancer treatment and a major stroke in 2012, Wayne remained resilient.
Wayne’s brother Jay shared an emotional tribute on Facebook, calling him “a true legend” and describing their close bond. “He was my roommate and my confidant over the decades,” Jay wrote.
Merrill Osmond also paid tribute to Wayne, reflecting on their deep connection. “When I learned that my dear brother Wayne had a massive stroke, my immediate response was to fall to my knees and pray for him to receive the assurance that his mission had been accomplished,” he wrote. “Wayne was a saint before he came into this world, and he will leave as an even greater saint than he came in.”
Merrill continued, “I’ve never known a man who had more humility, no guile, and the ability to forgive quickly. His departure will be a sad moment for some, but for those waiting for him on the other side, there will be a celebration beyond anything we can imagine.”
Wayne Osmond’s legacy will live on in his music, his faith, and the countless lives he touched.
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