Donny and Marie Osmond’s 50-Year Journey: From Variety Show Stars to Las Vegas Icons
From their classic 1970s variety show through an amazing Las Vegas residency and much more
Marie Osmond is a little bit country, Donny Osmond is a little bit rock ‘n’ roll. Together, they’ve created a genre-defying, decades-spanning legacy that began in the 1970s and continues to resonate today. As hosts of their iconic 1976 to 1979 Donny & Marie show that aired on ABC, and performers who have embraced everything from TV specials to a record-breaking Las Vegas residency, they’ve entertained millions across several generations.
The duo’s story, however, is rooted in the Osmond family’s rise to fame as the Osmonds. What began as a wholesome barbershop quartet featuring the Osmond brothers, eventually transformed into a pop phenomenon, with younger siblings Donny and Marie emerging as breakout stars. Donny’s solo career captured the hearts of teenagers everywhere, while Marie’s country music debut, “Paper Roses,” showcased her distinctive voice when she was just 13 years old.
When their talents converged, the magic was undeniable as their chemistry, humor, and versatility led to chart-topping duets, unforgettable television moments and a career that has remained as dynamic as they are.
Don Smith, publisher of the 1990s’ fanzine Teenage Gang Debs and a pop culture historian, says of their variety show, “If you look at the time, there was The Brady Bunch, The Waltons, the Jackson 5, The Partridge Family and, of course, the Osmonds. Just wholesome concepts in a general sense; big families working together as a family. and the Osmonds were the most ‘wholesome’ of them all in many ways.”
Bruce Vilanch, a writer the variety show, observes, “Donny and Marie were stars, and they were plucked out of the bunch. There were 14 kids and she was the only girl. The family wanted her to be a Mormon housewife, but she wanted to perform and fought for it. Donny was groomed to be a big star and when they put them together, something clicked. I guess people liked the idea they were brother and sister and are both insanely talented. On top of that, the fact that they were family allowed them to rib each other in a loving way. It was something that resonated with people.”
From humble beginnings to headlining global stages, this is the story—told in timeline style—of Donny and Marie Osmond.
1974: Harmonizing for the first time
The sibling duo’s story as a team began with their debut album, I’m Leaving It All Up to You. Its success paved the way for high-profile television appearances, including The Perry Como Show in April and a weeklong guest-hosting stint on The Mike Douglas Show in September. During that week, Donny demonstrated his martial arts skills while Marie showcased her cooking talents with Shepherd’s Pie. Guests like Olivia Newton-John and The Hudson Brothers added to the fun.
1975: A Spotlight on sibling chemistry
With the release of their second album, Make the World Go Away, Donny and Marie continued to grow their audience. Appearances on The Mac Davis Show, Hollywood Squares, and The Merv Griffin Show highlighted their charisma. But it was that week on The Mike Douglas Show that caught the attention of ABC entertainment president Fred Silverman, who saw their potential as variety show hosts. His instincts were (literally) right on the money.
1976: From Music to primetime magic
The Osmond siblings made the leap to primetime television with the January debut of Donny & Marie. Featuring comedy sketches, musical performances and big finales that saluted Americana themes, the show quickly became a hit. That year also saw the release of two albums, Deep Purple and Songs From Their TV Show.
1977: Expanding the brand
Building on their TV success, Donny and Marie released the album Winning Combination. Their popularity extended to merchandise, including their own line of dolls. Beyond entertainment, they joined a reading program for elementary school children, really driving home their influence as role models. Season 3 of Donny & Marie debuted in September and included memorable guest appearances from Star Wars characters C-3PO, R2-D2 and Chewbacca.
1978: Lights, camera, ‘Coconut’ chaos
Donny and Marie ventured into film with Goin’ Coconuts, a lighthearted adventure set in Hawaii. The movie, along with its soundtrack, showcased their knack (not according to many critics) for blending music and comedy. Meanwhile, the fourth and final season of their variety show kicked off, featuring star-studded guests like Olivia Newton-John and Bob Hope. Though their variety series came to an end, their careers were far from over.
1998–2000: From variety to talk show stardom
Two decades after their variety show ended, Donny and Marie embraced a new format with their daytime talk show. Premiering in 1998, the program ran for two years, allowing the duo to interact humorously with celebrity guests and audiences. Their ability to reinvent themselves and adapt to changing times was admittedly impressive.
2008–2019: A Vegas act like no other
In 2008, Donny and Marie launched a six-week residency at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. The show’s mix of nostalgia and modern flair struck a chord with audiences, extending their residency to an impressive 11 years. Chronicling five decades of music in a 90-minute performance, the production was a testament to their enduring talent. “It was supposed to be six weeks,” Donny reflected, “and it will be 11 years. It’s been an incredible ride.”
2010–Present: A holiday tradition reimagined
Donny and Marie have also embraced the spirit of the season with their holiday shows. Beginning with Donny & Marie: A Broadway Christmas in 2010, they’ve continued to delight audiences with festive performances over the years. Their appeal, of course, has continued right up until today.
Says Don Smith, “They have a history of being very exacting in their performances and rehearsals and things like that. Their appeal comes from the fact that they were enormously talented and they could play off very light-hearted entertainment in a way that made people happy and relaxed. It was just something that people desperately needed.”
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
