Stars At The Shore: Donny Osmond
By Veronica Dudo
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (CBS) -- Now celebrating 50 years in the entertainment industry, Donny Osmond has done it all, from recording dozens of albums to performing concerts, appearing in films, hosting television and radio shows and even starring on Broadway. During the past five decades, he has sold over 100 million records and 33 gold records—18 of those before the age of 13.
When he was just five years old, Osmond made his first appearance on "The Andy Williams Show" and melted the hearts of many by singing "You Are My Sunshine." Throughout the 1960s, he and his older brothers gained popularity as The Osmonds with their sister, Marie, who occasionally made appearances.
In the 70s, Osmond's solo career took off, and he became a teen idol. From 1976 to 1979, the brother-sister duo hosted a weekly television variety series, "The Donny & Marie Show." The pair returned in the late 1990s to host a nationally syndicated daytime talk show.
Osmond appeared in Disney's Broadway production of "Beauty and The Beast." He also played the title role in the North American production of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat."
In 2009, the versatile entertainer competed on the reality series "Dancing with the Stars" and won the coveted trophy. Osmond and his sister brought their award-winning Las Vegas show, "Donny & Marie," to Caesars Casino in Atlantic City for a sold-out week long engagement. Before his show, Osmond talked about celebrating 50 years in show business, his upcoming 60th album and how he maintains his busy schedule.
Your show, "Donny & Marie," has a weeklong engagement at Caesars Atlantic City. How is it going here on the East Coast?
It's been unbelievable! The audience has been just fantastic first of all, and Don Marrandino told us we sold out for the entire run, so that's kind of nice.
Through the years you've performed in every medium including TV, film, Broadway, concerts and on the radio. Do you have a favorite entertainment outlet?
Well, I don't know--I like to do it all! I like to jump around. As a matter of fact, after this I get back to my desk to do my radio show, then I'm going to record a little for my next album before the show starts. It's hard to beat live entertaining though, because you get that immediate reaction from the crowd. So that's probably my favorite.
How do you maintain your energy with such a grueling schedule?
I workout every day, not just physically but vocally, and my secret weapon, as I refer to it--I started taking this thing called Protandim. It has been proven to slow down the aging process. I asked the company if I could be a spokesperson for the company because they've proven that by watching certain markers in your blood, you can actually slow down the aging process. And it's all done by foods; it's not pharmaceutical or a drug or anything. It's just real foods.
In 2009, you won "Dancing with the Stars." What was that experience like for you?
I'm still recovering [laughs] and I rub it in Marie's face as often as I can! It was probably one of the greatest experiences of my career, because I don't think I've ever worked as hard as I did on that show for an award—to get that mirror ball trophy—and I got it!
When will your 60th album be released?
I'm hoping next year. It's just a matter of getting it done; I don't want to rush it because it's such an earmark year and album for me—50 years in the business next year and 60th album. So I want to take my time and do it right.
Veronica Dudo is an award-winning journalist covering everything from breaking news to red carpet celebrity interviews. Follow her on Twitter @VeronicaDudo and Facebook.
