Art Garfunkel

Art Garfunkel is an American singer, actor, and poet best known as one half of the legendary folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. His angelic tenor voice, often described as ethereal, provided the soaring counterpoint to Paul Simon's songwriting, creating some of the most beloved recordings of the 1960s. Hits like The Sound of Silence, Mrs. Robinson, The Boxer, and the title track Bridge Over Troubled Water, on which Garfunkel delivered a career-defining lead vocal, became anthems for a generation.

After the duo's initial split in 1970, Garfunkel launched a solo career with the album Angel Clare and scored hits like All I Know and I Only Have Eyes for You. He also pursued acting, appearing in films such as Catch-22 and Carnal Knowledge, and published a book of poetry. Simon & Garfunkel reunited for the historic 1981 Concert in Central Park, drawing over 500,000 people, and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Despite vocal cord paresis diagnosed in 2010, Garfunkel remains a revered figure in popular music, celebrated for a voice that continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.[edit]

Arthur Ira Garfunkel was born on November 5, 1941, in Forest Hills, Queens, to Rose and Jacob Garfunkel. His father was a traveling salesman, his mother a homemaker. He grew up in a middle-class Jewish household and discovered his love for music early. In elementary school, he met a classmate named Paul Simon. The two bonded over their shared passion for harmonizing and began performing at school assemblies and local events.

In 1956, still teenagers, they recorded their first single, Hey, Schoolgirl, under the name Tom & Jerry. The song reached No. 49 on the Billboard charts, giving them an early taste of success. Garfunkel attended Forest Hills High School and later majored in art history at Columbia College, graduating in 1965. He then earned a master's degree in mathematics education from Columbia's Teachers College, briefly teaching math before music took over his life.[edit]

In 1964, Garfunkel and Simon reunited as Simon & Garfunkel and released Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., which initially flopped. But a remixed, electrified version of The Sound of Silence became a No. 1 hit in 1965, launching their breakthrough. The duo followed with Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme in 1966 and Bookends in 1968, which included Mrs. Robinson from the film The Graduate.

Their masterpiece, Bridge Over Troubled Water, arrived in 1970. It won six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and sold millions worldwide. The duo split soon after. Garfunkel's first solo album, Angel Clare (1973), spawned the hit All I Know. He continued with Breakaway (1975), featuring I Only Have Eyes for You, and acted in films like Catch-22 (1970), Carnal Knowledge (1971), and Bad Timing (1980). In 1981, Simon & Garfunkel reunited for The Concert in Central Park, a legendary performance. They toured again in 2003 with the Old Friends tour, which grossed over $100 million. Garfunkel released his final solo album, In Close-Up, in 2017.[edit]

Garfunkel's public persona is that of the quiet, intellectual half of Simon & Garfunkel. Known for his clean-cut look, which evolved from long hair in the 1960s to a distinguished, academic style, he is often portrayed as poetic and introspective. His voice, pure, angelic, and ethereal, is his defining trait. Fans are largely nostalgic, centered on the Simon & Garfunkel era, and there is no official fandom name. His social media presence is low-key, with posts about nostalgia, poetry, and personal reflections.[edit]

Art Garfunkel commands a following defined by its deep, multi-generational reverence for the sonic architecture of Simon & Garfunkel rather than any organized cult of personality. Fans rarely identify as 'Garfunkelites' but instead rally under the duo's banner, driven by the enduring power of anthems like The Sound of Silence and Mrs. Robinson. This audience sustains a robust cultural ecosystem where tribute theater productions keep the narrative alive and streaming numbers remain resilient despite the artist's advanced age. Recent moments, such as the emotional 2025 reunion dinner between Garfunkel and Paul Simon, have reinvigorated this fanbase, proving that the legend of their reconciliation holds as much weight as their original hits. While no formal fandom name exists in official records, the community remains active through online debates and high-profile concert attendance, including recent sold-out appearances alongside stars like Charlie Puth. iFANN has evaluated Art Garfunkel's global standing. He is currently not ranked within the Global Top 1,000 or any published Top-100 scope list. This absence of a specific placement reflects his status as an established legacy icon rather than a current trending figure in the real-time fame metrics.[edit]

Art Garfunkel holds a master's degree in mathematics education and briefly taught math before his music career took flight. An avid walker, he once trekked across the entire United States and later traversed Europe, documenting every step in journals. In his youth, he competed as a semi-professional chess player. Since 2010, vocal cord paresis has weakened his singing voice, yet he continues to perform. He published a poetry collection titled Still Water in 1989. Cultural lore also highlights the 2025 dinner reunion where Garfunkel confirmed tears and hugs with Paul Simon, healing a decades-old rift. A persistent story from April 2026 suggests a specific album allegedly ruined a potential reunion, cementing the drama of their split. Additionally, Garfunkel identified a 1967 track as the 'most creative record of them all,' setting a high artistic benchmark. His song Mrs. Robinson remains legendary as the first rock and roll era hit to reach number one on the charts, a milestone fans celebrate annually during the Bookends anniversary.[edit]

Garfunkel married Linda Grossman in 1972; they divorced in 1975. In 1988, he married Kim Cermak, a former model and actress. They have two sons: James (born 1990) and Beau (born 2005). The family has lived in New York and Connecticut. Garfunkel has spoken fondly of his parents, Rose and Jacob, though they have both passed away.[edit]

Paul Simon was his lifelong musical partner. Roy Halee produced and engineered many Simon & Garfunkel records. Garfunkel had romantic relationships with actress Laurie Bird and director Penny Marshall. He has been married to Kim Garfunkel since 1988.[edit]

Garfunkel had a serious relationship with actress Laurie Bird from 1970 to 1975, whom he met on the set of Catch-22. She died by suicide in 1979, deeply affecting him. He married Linda Grossman in 1972; they divorced in 1975. From 1976 to 1983, he had a high-profile relationship with actress and director Penny Marshall, living together but never marrying. In 1988, he married Kim Cermak, a former model and actress. They have two sons and remain together as of 2026.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Art Garfunkel's net worth stands at $120 Million as of 2026. This financial standing is anchored primarily in the enduring royalties from the Simon & Garfunkel catalog, which generates millions annually through streaming, film licensing, and radio play. The 2003 Old Friends tour alone grossed over $100 million, showcasing the massive commercial viability of their partnership. Additional revenue streams include sales from his solo albums, book sales, and residuals from his acting career. Garfunkel maintains property holdings in New York and Connecticut, further solidifying his asset base.[edit]

Garfunkel won six Grammy Awards with Simon & Garfunkel, including Record of the Year and Album of the Year for Bridge Over Troubled Water. He also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for The Paul Simon Special in 1978.[edit]