Wayne Osmond, a founding member of the renowned Osmond family singing group, died at 73 on January 1, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah. His family confirmed to local ABC affiliate KTVX that the cause of death was a stroke.
In a statement released by his family, they stated, “Wayne Osmond, beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully last night surrounded by his loving wife and five children. His legacy of faith, music, love, and laughter have influenced the lives of many people around the world. 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’s brother Merrill Osmond revealed that Wayne suffered a “massive stroke.” After learning about Wayne’s condition, Merrill promptly drove to the hospital to bid his final farewell.
As the second eldest of the original Osmond Brothers singers and the fourth eldest of the nine Osmond children, Wayne was integral to the group’s rise to fame in the 1960s. They were discovered while performing at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which led to regular appearances on “The Andy Williams Show” and kick-started their entertainment career.
Wayne started his musical journey in 1958 as part of a barbershop quartet which later became the famous Osmond Brothers. In the 1970s, they had major hits like “One Bad Apple,” “Yo-Yo,” and “Down By the Lazy River.” Their fame was so immense that the BBC compared their popularity to the “Beatles-esque” frenzy.
Jay Osmond, another of Wayne’s brothers, expressed his strong bond with Wayne, saying, “I have always felt the most connected to Wayne out of all of my siblings. What gives me joy is to know that my brother has earned his wings and I can only imagine the heights he is soaring right now.”
Wayne faced significant health issues throughout his life. While performing in Branson, Missouri, in 1994, he began experiencing alarming symptoms. In an interview with Coping magazine, Wayne said, “One day when I was working in Branson, I noticed I couldn’t play my saxophone anymore because my head would start throbbing. And my knees would fall out from under me when I was on stage. This all began happening within a week.” These symptoms led to his diagnosis of ependymoma cancer, necessitating a 17-hour surgery and weeks of radiation therapy.
He was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1997, which was successfully treated but resulted in near deafness due to cochlear damage. A stroke in 2012 ended his ability to play guitar, although he continued to find happiness in activities such as fly fishing and spending time with his family.
Wayne is survived by his wife Kathlyn Louise White, whom he married in 1974, and their five children. He also leaves behind his siblings, including Marie and Donny Osmond, who were known for their popular 1970s variety show featuring guests like Cher and Olivia Newton-John. He was the first of the Osmond siblings to pass away.
In 2003, the Osmond family was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their substantial contribution to the entertainment industry. The last television appearance of Wayne with his brothers was in 2019.
