Art Garfunkel
Voice of generations
Art Garfunkel – An Artist’s Journey
Art Garfunkel is one of the defining voices of 20th- and 21st-century music. Raised in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, he discovered his artistic voice early—a voice that has resonated with generations over decades. This biography offers a window into the life of a musician whose work is characterized by musical sensitivity, personal integrity, and artistic passion, inviting readers to explore the milestones, experiences, and creations of an extraordinary life.
Profile
Name
Stage name
birth date
Place of birth
Zodiac sign
Parents
Ancestry
Siblings
Wife
Children
Place of residence
Professional qualification
Occupations practiced
Arthur Ira Garfunkel
Art Garfunkel
November 5, 1941
Forest Hills
New York
Scorpion
Jacob (Jack) Garfunkel
Rose Garfunkel
Moldovan (Romanian) Jews
Jules Garfunkel
Jerome Garfunkel
1972 - 1975
Linda Grossman
since September 18, 1988
Kathryn Luce (Kim) Cermak
Arthur Jr
(born December 15, 1990)
Beau Daniel
(* October 5, 2005)
Manhattan/Upper East Side
Bachelor of Arts
Master in didactics
Masters in Mathematics
Singer
Actor
poet
Mathematics teacher
Childhood and Early Musical Beginnings
Arthur Ira Garfunkel was born on November 5, 1941, in Forest Hills, a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Queens. He later moved with his parents to Kew Gardens Hills, a nearby area known for its tree-lined streets and classic red-brick houses. The Garfunkel family lived in a semi-attached redbrick home on Jewel Avenue, a warm and close-knit corner of Queens that would shape many of Art’s earliest memories.
Art grew up with his brothers Jules and Jerome in a Jewish family whose roots traced back to Romania and Moldova. His father, Jacob “Jack” Garfunkel, worked as a traveling salesman, while his mother, Rose Garfunkel, dedicated herself to caring for the family.
From a very young age, Art showed signs of remarkable musical sensitivity. When he was four, he received a tape recorder, a gift that sparked a lifelong fascination with sound. He spent countless hours recording his voice, playing it back, and listening intently—an early training ground for his finely tuned ear and sense of harmony. “To sing—and especially to record myself—was simply wonderful,” he would later recall.
In Kew Gardens Hills, Art attended Public School 164, followed by Parsons Junior High School and later Forest Hills High School. His pure tenor voice quickly drew attention, and he performed in school productions and theater plays. In sixth grade, he appeared in a stage adaptation of Alice in Wonderland—a small but telling glimpse of the performer he was destined to become.
Meeting with Paul Simon
Simon & Garfunkel had known each other since childhood. They grew up in the same neighborhood and attended the same schools. At the age of eleven, they played the roles of the White Rabbit and the Cheshire Cat in a school production of Alice in Wonderland. During rehearsals, their friendship deepened, and Art discovered early the joy of collaborating with Paul.
When Paul Simon heard Art Garfunkel sing for the first time, he immediately recognized the special harmony between their voices. Impressed by this natural connection, they began rehearsing together regularly. Many evenings were spent in Garfunkel’s basement, a small, improvised music space where Art refined his voice and developed new song ideas with Paul.
Early on, Art contributed his own melodies and ideas, which they explored together. Performances in school talent shows and smaller productions gave him his first stage experiences and strengthened his sense of expression, teamwork, and creativity—qualities that would later become his trademark.
Their meeting and collaboration laid the foundation for an extraordinary musical partnership and marked the beginning of Art Garfunkel’s artistic development.
Tom & Jerry
During his high school years, Art Garfunkel performed together with Paul Simon under the stage name Tom & Jerry. They chose these pseudonyms because they feared their real names might be considered “too Jewish.”
From a young age, Art was known for creating detailed charts for all songs and musical elements. For this reason, Paul Simon gave him the nickname Tom Graph.
In 1956, Art and Paul signed a recording contract with Big Records. In 1957, they released their single Hey Schoolgirl, which reached #49 on the US charts. The record company officially adopted the name Tom Graph for the release, while Paul took the stage name Jerry Landis.
As part of the duo, Art Garfunkel expanded his musical knowledge and gained valuable studio experience at the legendary Brill Building.
Their first television appearance as Tom & Jerry came in the late 1950s on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. Even then, Art Garfunkel’s stage presence showed what would later define him: precision, musicality, and expressive performance.
Academic Education
After finishing high school, Art Garfunkel pursued an academic path that developed both his artistic and analytical abilities. He initially studied architecture at Columbia University, but soon shifted his focus to art history.
In 1965, he earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art History, deepening his knowledge of artistic periods and styles and developing a refined sense of aesthetics, composition, and visual harmony – skills that later influenced his musical work.
Two years later, Art Garfunkel continued his studies at the Teachers College of Columbia University and earned two master’s degrees in 1967: a Master of Arts (MA) in Mathematics Education and a Master of Arts (MA) in Mathematics. These programs combined pedagogical knowledge with analytical thinking, structured problem-solving, and precise work – competencies he applied both in teaching and in organizing musical projects and developing his own songs.
The combination of artistic sensitivity and analytical-mathematical training shaped Art Garfunkel’s mindset and laid the foundation for his ability to recognize complex musical structures, craft precise harmonies, and methodically implement creative ideas – traits that became central to his music career.
Artie Garr
During his university studies, Art Garfunkel began releasing his first recordings under the pseudonym Artie Garr. This project gave him the opportunity to further develop his voice as a lead singer and explore the nuances of his tenor.
In the studio, he gained valuable experience in recording, arranging, and musical interpretation. He experimented with tone colors, dynamics, and harmonies, learned how vocals and instrumental accompaniment could complement each other, and developed a refined sense of timing, phrasing, and expression – skills that later became hallmarks of his artistic identity.
Working as Artie Garr also allowed Garfunkel to make independent creative decisions, test his own song ideas, and gain an early professional understanding of studio recording processes. This early experimentation laid the foundation for his later collaboration with Paul Simon and shaped his approach to music production and singing.
With this experience, Art Garfunkel returned to Paul Simon in 1962, ready to bring his vocal skills to the emerging partnership and further perfect the harmony of their duo.
Studies and Return to Music
In 1962, Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon reunited – this time as a conscious, folk-oriented duo. After the individual experiences Art had gained during his studies and projects like Artie Garr, he now brought a more mature sense of singing, harmony, and musical structure into the partnership.
They performed under their real names, which for Art Garfunkel also represented a deliberate return to his own artistic identity. The combination of Simon’s songwriting skills and Garfunkel’s tenor voice laid the foundation for a new creative dynamic. Already here, the first signs of what would later become their distinctive sound were visible: a fusion of folk, pop, and precisely tuned harmonies.
For Art, this phase was primarily an opportunity to apply the skills he had developed during his studies – whether experimenting with vocal arrangements, developing his own ideas, or mastering the nuances of stage presence. At the same time, he began integrating the analytical and structured thinking acquired through his academic education into his musical work, allowing his voice and musical intuition to shine more clearly.
Returning to collaborate with Paul Simon was therefore not just a step back to music, but for Art Garfunkel a decisive moment in which artistic experience, technical skills, and personal expressiveness first fully came together.
International Breakthrough
In the late 1960s, Simon & Art Garfunkel became one of the most influential music duos worldwide. Songs such as The Sound of Silence, Mrs. Robinson, The Boxer, and Scarborough Fair became generational anthems.
The album Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970) marked their peak. The title track, sung by Art Garfunkel, became internationally famous. The album received six Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year. After this success, Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon pursued different artistic directions.
Actor
In the early 1970s, Art Garfunkel began to expand his artistic expression beyond music and turned to acting. In 1970, he took on a prominent role in Mike Nichols’ satirical anti-war film Catch-22, adapted from Joseph Heller’s famous novel. In this role, he demonstrated his ability to convincingly portray complex, multi-dimensional characters and convey emotions subtly.
In 1971, Garfunkel appeared in Carnal Knowledge, a film exploring personal relationships and social pressures, once again showing his keen sense for nuance, timing, and expression. Other notable appearances include Bad Timing (1980), Good to Go / Short Fuse (1986), Boxing Helena (1993), and The Rebound (2009).
On television, Art Garfunkel appeared repeatedly, including in the popular series Laverne & Shirley. In 1998, he had a guest role in the children’s show Arthur as the singing moose ("Singing Moose"), reaching a younger audience.
These selected roles highlight that Art Garfunkel is not only a musician but also an actor with distinctive presence, expressive power, and stage charisma. They played a key role in establishing his unique artistic impact on stage and screen.
Teaching Career
From late 1971 to early 1972, Art Garfunkel taught geometry to tenth graders at the Litchfield Academy in Connecticut. For him, this role was more than just a job: it provided the opportunity to apply the deep mathematical knowledge he had acquired during his studies while simultaneously developing his pedagogical skills.
Art Garfunkel considered teaching a rewarding experience that allowed him to present complex concepts clearly and understandably. He learned how to structure challenging content, support students individually, and build clear, logical reasoning – skills that proved valuable not only in the classroom but also in music production and project organization.
Additionally, the teaching position provided a structured routine outside of music, allowing him to further cultivate patience, responsibility, and perseverance. These months as a teacher were instrumental in helping Art Garfunkel develop a methodical, structured, and simultaneously creative approach, qualities that would profoundly shape his later artistic career.
Reunion at Central Park
In 1981, Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon performed at the legendary Central Park concert in New York before over 500,000 people. A world tour, double album, and TV special followed. A new joint album was planned but never completed; the songs were later used by Paul Simon for his solo album.
Writer
From an early age, Art Garfunkel showed a keen talent for written expression alongside his musical abilities.
In 1989, he published the collection Still Water: Prose Poems, a series of autobiographical prose poems. In these works, Garfunkel reflects on personal experiences, his musical career, travels, and interpersonal relationships. The texts are clear, precise, and minimalist, offering insight into his personal perspectives, inner reflections, and artistic and personal experiences.
In 2017, he released his memoir What Is It All but Luminous, which combines personal reflections, memories, and observations from his life. The book details not only stages of his musical career but also provides insights into private experiences, artistic developments, and encounters with other artists, giving a comprehensive overview of defining moments in his life and creative work.
Throughout his life, Art Garfunkel has written numerous poems, often performed at concerts and readings, though not published in print. Similarly, he continues to write essays and articles for various magazines and publications, presenting his views on music, art, literature, and personal experiences.
Garfunkel and Garfunkel
As early as 1997, Art Garfunkel recorded a duet with his son, Art Garfunkel Jr., on his solo album Songs from a Parent to a Child, which was also released simultaneously under the title Daydream – Songs from a Father to a Child. This recording marked the beginning of a special musical connection between father and son.
From a very young age, Art Garfunkel introduced his son to the stage, gently guiding him through performances and teaching him how to sing in front of an audience. At first, Art Garfunkel Jr. would sing only short passages of the songs, gradually taking on longer sections until he could perform independently. Through this careful mentoring, a continuous musical collaboration developed, nurturing both the son’s stage presence and the unique bond between father and son.
Over the years, they frequently performed together on stage. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, they also released several duets on Art Garfunkel Jr.’s albums, culminating in their joint album Garfunkel and Garfunkel – Father and Son.
In these recordings, their voices blend in a way that conveys both intimacy and artistic maturity. Art Garfunkel brings decades of musical experience—his sense of balance, tonal color, and emotional depth—to the duets. At the same time, it is clear how he has passed on his vocal elegance and musical understanding to his son. The result is a musical world where tradition and continuity, memory and renewal, coexist seamlessly.
Art Garfunkel also contributed to the Christmas album Advent in several duets, adding depth to the songs while carrying his musical legacy into the present.
These projects demonstrate how Art Garfunkel continues to keep his artistic voice alive, explores new musical avenues, and ensures that his music resonates across generations—in his own work as well as through his son’s voice.
Family and Personal Life
Art Garfunkel’s life beyond the stage and studio has been shaped by close family bonds and significant personal relationships. From 1972 to 1975, he was married to Linda Grossman, a period that was influential in providing emotional support and fostering both his personal and artistic development.
In the late 1970s, he was in a deeply emotional relationship with actress Laurie Bird, which influenced his artistic work but also brought personal challenges, especially toward the end, requiring significant emotional effort.
At the end of 1985, Art Garfunkel met Kim Cermak during the filming of Good to Go. They married on September 18, 1988, at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Kim Cermak, a model, singer, and actress, occasionally supports Garfunkel as a background vocalist. Together, they form a stable, creative, and loving family.
They have two sons: Art Garfunkel Jr., born in 1990, who showed his musical talent and inherited his father’s distinctive voice from an early age, and Beau Daniel Garfunkel, born in 2005, who is also highly musical. Both parents are loving and actively nurture their sons’ creativity and musical abilities.
Family plays a central role in Garfunkel’s life. Collaborating with Art Garfunkel Jr. demonstrates how he passes on his musical legacy and continues musically in his son’s voice. Beau Daniel is also supported in his creative and musical development, keeping the family’s artistic tradition alive across generations.
This perspective highlights the balance between Garfunkel’s public artistic life and his private life and demonstrates how he actively transmits his experience, musical passion, and knowledge to the next generation.
A Note to My Younger Self
My dear, my younger self,
What do I know that might be of value to you? Singing brings joy – a tickle in the throat and a lasting, pleasant sound in a tiled room. Singing was my silent companion as I crossed the threshold into a room full of strangers. If you can accept the differences in others, woven into beautiful dissonance, you give strength to the music, the musicality, and to your partner.
Fame is a thrill. The party happens in your house. It helps the introvert and pays the bills. It gives momentum to the current project. I met many wonderful women through the focus on fame and encountered countless incredibly talented colleagues in the industry. The excitement was real! I seized the opportunity to step into the open realm of artists – and that was where the real fun lay.
If you get married, as I did, you will get annoyed. Boys and girls are different. But when difference is a challenge, it is also a great enrichment of life. Lovers soothe one another, dance together, and merge in the excitement of creating new life. This will herald the second half of your life. Charming children will give you the feeling that two parents are connected with divine emotion and devotion.
As you grow older, you step out of your own way. You may see more clearly what your unique contribution on Earth should be. Mine is to be a singer. Your heart will become your center. You will know the difference between cheap pleasures and deep satisfaction earned through hard work.
I lost my singing voice three years ago (I don’t know how). It was hard work to find my sound again and get back on stage. You must be brave to do this publicly. So lower the pitch –
Art sings:
"When you’re weary, feelin’ small…"
(Quote from CBS Morning Show, 11/22/2013)
Additional Milestones
Art Garfunkel remains artistically active to this day and has achieved numerous milestones throughout his long career. Some of his most well-known successes include Bright Eyes, All I Know, and I Only Have Eyes for You, songs that showcase his unmistakable tenor voice and fine sense of harmony and melody.
In addition to his albums, Art Garfunkel has collaborated with renowned musicians and composers, including James Taylor, Jimmy Webb, Stephen Bishop, and Amy Grant, demonstrating his artistic versatility and openness to new musical influences. Many of his songs have been featured in films, television series, commercials, and other media, allowing his music to reach a wide audience and shaping generations of listeners.
Moreover, Art Garfunkel has continuously performed live, displaying his stage presence, which has captivated audiences since early in his career. His involvement in benefit concerts and projects supporting young musicians also stands among his significant milestones.
These achievements and projects highlight not only his consistency as a musician but also his ability to remain timelessly relevant. Over the decades, Art Garfunkel has further developed his artistic voice, brought his music into new contexts, and left a lasting impact on the pop and folk landscape.
Artistic Legacy
Art Garfunkel is one of the most outstanding artists of his generation and is considered one of the most distinctive voices in music history. His unique tenor voice, combining clarity, warmth, and emotional depth, made him a global star whose influence extends far beyond pop and folk music. Whether as a singer, actor, or thinker, Art Garfunkel has left a lasting mark on the cultural landscape of the 20th and 21st centuries.
His artistic work is characterized by precision, sensitivity, and profound expressive power. Through his music and interpretations, he has touched generations of listeners and inspired countless musicians. His art combines technical mastery with rare poetic intuition, making his works both accessible and artistically sophisticated.
In addition to his music, Art Garfunkel has also appeared as an actor, demonstrating his artistic versatility. Above all, his live performances and concerts shaped his stage presence: in his youth, he began singing on stage, developing an expressive power that over more than half a century has captivated audiences worldwide.
Art Garfunkel’s legacy encompasses his ability to convey timeless beauty and emotional depth, as well as his lasting impact on music and culture. He is an artist whose voice, vision, and presence have shaped generations and continue to inspire musicians and music lovers around the world. In every aspect of his work, the significance of a global star is evident, with a legacy that extends far beyond his own creations.