Who is Art Garfunkel? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Arthur Ira Garfunkel

Age: 83 Years, 83 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Kim Garfunkel (m. 1988), Linda Marie Grossman (m. 1972–1975)

father: Jacob Garfunkel

mother: Rose Garfunkel

siblings: Jerome Garfunkel, Jules B. Garfunkel

children: Beau Daniel Garfunkel, James Garfunkel

Born Country: United States

Jewish Actors Jewish Singers

Height: 5'9" (175 cm), 5'9" Males

Notable Alumni: Columbia College (New York), Teachers College, Columbia University

Ancestry: Romanian American

U.S. State: New Yorkers

More Facts

education: Columbia College (New York), Teachers College, Columbia University

Recommended For You

1

What was Art Garfunkel's role in the musical duo Simon & Garfunkel?

Art Garfunkel was the singer and harmonist in Simon & Garfunkel.
2

How did Art Garfunkel meet Paul Simon?

Art Garfunkel met Paul Simon in elementary school in Queens, New York.
3

What is Art Garfunkel's highest-charting solo single?

Art Garfunkel's highest-charting solo single is "All I Know," which peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.
4

In what year did Art Garfunkel release his debut solo album?

Art Garfunkel released his debut solo album, "Angel Clare," in 1973.
5

What is Art Garfunkel's most famous solo song?

Art Garfunkel's most famous solo song is "Bright Eyes," which was the theme song for the animated film "Watership Down."

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Childhood & Early Life

Arthur Garfunkel was born in Forest Hills, New York on 5th November 1941. His parents were Rose and Jack Garfunkel. He has two brothers.

He developed a strong interest in music at an early age. Therefore, his father brought him a wire recorder. From around the age of four, he would spend hours with the gadget, singing, listening as well as fine-tuning his voice.

He studied at Forest Hills Junior Elementary School, where he continued to sing. It was there that he met his future partner Paul Simon. In the sixth grade, they took part in a production of ‘Alice in Wonderland’.

The duo eventually began performing together in school talent shows. They used to practice together for fours as well. After he graduated from Forest Hills High School, he studied at the Columbia University, where he majored in architecture.

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Career

In 1963, Art Garfunkel and Simon reunited and formed the duo ‘Simon & Garfunkel.’ The following year, they released their debut album ‘Wednesday Morning, 3 AM’. Since it didn’t do well commercially, the duo decided to go their separate ways.

In 1965, producer Tom Wilson created a remix of their song ‘The Sound of Silence’ which topped the Billboard chart. Therefore, the duo decided to reunite and perform together again.

In 1966, they released their next album ‘Sounds of Silence’. It was a success and reached the 21st position on the US Billboard 200. They next produced the soundtrack for the 1967 romantic comedy drama film ‘The Graduate’. It was based on a novel of the same name by Charles Webb. The film was a huge success commercially and critically, and also earned several Oscar nominations, winning one for Best Director.

Their next album was ‘Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme’. It reached the 4th position on the US Billboard 200. It was praised by the critics. Their 1968 album ‘Bookends,’ which reached the 1st position on the US Billboard 200, was met positively by the critics.

The most successful work in their career together was their next album ‘Bridge over Troubled Water,’ released in 1970. It reached the 1st position on the US Billboard 200, and also topped the charts in several other countries. It won two Grammy Awards, including the one for ‘Record of the Year’.

Though the duo reached the peak of their fame with ‘Bridge over Troubled Water,’ they decided to split because of personal differences. In 1973, Art Garfunkel finally released his first solo album ‘Angel Clare’. It reached the fifth position on the US Billboard 200.

His next albums were ‘Breakaway’ and ‘Watermark’ released in 1975 and 1977 respectively. He continued his solo career with albums, such as ‘Scissors Cut’ (1981), ‘Lefty’ (1988), ‘Letters from a Parent to a Child’ (1997), and ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ (2007).

He reunited with Simon in 2003 and went on a successful world tour. Garfunkel and Simon also shared the stage to accept the ‘Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award’. They played ‘Sounds of Silence’ on the live show.

In the ensuing years, Garfunkel embarked on several other tours. Though he started experiencing some problems in his vocal chords in 2010, he has continued to perform.

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Acting Career

Art Garfunkel made his acting debut with a role in the 1970 black comedy war film ‘Catch-22’. It was adapted from the novel of the same name by Joseph Heller. The film was an average success commercially.

In 1971, he played a supporting role in the comedy drama film ‘Carnal Knowledge’. Garfunkel was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his performance in the category of ‘Best Supporting Actor’.

He appeared in two TV films, ‘Acts of Love and Other Comedies’ and ‘Mother Goose: Rock 'n' Rhyme’. In 1993, he had a supporting role in the film ‘Boxing Helena’.

He has played guest roles in several films and TV series. In 2009, he had a supporting role in the comedy drama film ‘The Rebound’. He was last seen in a 2011 documentary film named ‘Beatles Stories’.

Major Works

Art Garfunkel, as a part of the duo ‘Simon & Garfunkel,’ released the album ‘Bridge over Troubled Water’ which can be regarded as the most successful work of his career. The album reached the 1st position on the US Billboard 200 and also topped the charts in several other countries, such as Canada, Spain and the UK. It earned critical acclaim and also won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year.

As a solo artist, one of Garfunkel’s successful works is his third studio album ‘Watermark’. It reached the 19th position on the US Billboard 200, and also entered the charts in Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the UK. It included tracks, such as ‘Saturday Still’, ‘She Moved through the Fair’ and ‘Paper Chase’.

Personal Life

In October 1972, Art Garfunkel married Linda Marie Grossman, an architect. However, they divorced shortly after. Later, he stared dating actress and photographer Laurie Bird. The relationship ended tragically when she committed suicide in 1979. He also dated actress Penny Marshall for a while.

In 1988, he got married for the second time to Kathryn Cermack, a former model. They have two children, James Garfunkel and Beau Daniel Garfunkel.

Facts About Art Garfunkel

Art Garfunkel has a master's degree in mathematics from Columbia University and has published a book of poetry called "Still Water."

He is an avid walker and has walked across Japan, the US, and parts of Europe, often documenting his journeys in journals.

Garfunkel has a passion for photography and has released several books featuring his own photography.

Art Garfunkel is known for his distinctive countertenor voice and has collaborated with artists from various genres, showcasing his versatility as a musician.

1971	Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)	Winner
1971	Album of the Year	Winner
1971	Record of the Year	Winner
1969	Record of the Year	Winner
1969	Best Contemporary Pop Performance - Vocal Duo or Group	Winner

Art Garfunkel Biography

You wanted to know

What was Art Garfunkel's role in the musical duo Simon & Garfunkel?

How did Art Garfunkel meet Paul Simon?

What is Art Garfunkel's highest-charting solo single?

In what year did Art Garfunkel release his debut solo album?

What is Art Garfunkel's most famous solo song?