There’s a voice from the 1960s that a lot of us still hear in our heads — creamy, angelic, floating above a nylon-string guitar. That voice belongs to Art Garfunkel, the other half of Simon & Garfunkel, and his story goes far beyond “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” from a serious vocal cord scare to a solo career that proved he was no sidekick.
Born: November 5, 1941 ·
Height: 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) ·
Net worth: Estimated $80 million ·
Grammy Awards: 8 (including with Simon & Garfunkel) ·
Years active: 1956–present ·
Duo partner: Paul Simon
Quick snapshot
- Born November 5, 1941, in Queens, New York (Art Garfunkel Official Biography)
- Won 8 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award (Wikipedia)
- Married Kim Garfunkel since 1988; one son, James (Britannica)
- Released solo debut album Angel Clare in 1973 (Biography.com)
- Exact current net worth — estimates range from $60M to $100M (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Full extent of vocal recovery after 2010 paresis surgery (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Whether he permanently refuses to sing certain high notes in performance (Celebrity Net Worth)
- 1941: Born in Queens, New York
- 1970: Split with Paul Simon after Bridge Over Troubled Water
- 2010: Vocal cord surgery for paresis
- 2021: Releases album Father of a Father
- Continues to schedule solo concert dates, though less frequently
- Active on social media; participates in occasional interviews
- No announced new album as of 2025
Here is a quick reference of key biographical data.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Arthur Ira Garfunkel |
| Born | November 5, 1941, Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Net worth | Estimated $80 million |
| Spouse | Kim Garfunkel (m. 1988) |
| Children | 1 son: James Garfunkel |
| Genres | Folk rock, soft rock, pop |
| Years active | 1956–present |
| Grammy Awards | 8 (including with Simon & Garfunkel) |
What illness does Art Garfunkel have?
In 2010, Garfunkel was diagnosed with vocal cord paresis — a partial paralysis of one or both vocal cords that can rob a singer of range and power. He underwent surgery at the time, later telling The Guardian that the experience left him terrified: “It was a terrifying silence. I thought my career was over.”
What is Paul Simon’s illness?
Paul Simon does not have a publicly known major illness. He retired from touring after a 2023 final show in Queens, New York, but that decision was about a desire to step away from the road, not a specific health condition. The two men’s health stories are often conflated online, but Simon’s retirement was a lifestyle choice, not a medical necessity.
Can Art Garfunkel still sing?
His voice remains recognizable — that signature high tenor is still there — but it has deepened and lost some of the effortless purity that defined the 1960s recordings. Garfunkel has performed sporadically since 2010. Concert reviews from the 2020s note that while his range has narrowed, he still draws crowds who want to hear the classics live.
Garfunkel can still tour, but the vocal recovery is partial. For fans expecting the 1966 version of “The Sound of Silence,” the experience is more nostalgic tribute than technical perfection.
The implication: Garfunkel traded a pristine, show-stopping voice for the ability to keep singing at all. For a man who spent years as one of pop’s most technically perfect tenors, that’s a significant adjustment.
What did Art Garfunkel do to Paul Simon?
The story of Garfunkel and Simon is less about a single falling-out and more about two people who wanted fundamentally different things. The duo formed in 1956 under the name Tom & Jerry, releasing their first official album, Wednesday Morning, 3 AM, in 1964 — a record that initially flopped before producer Tom Wilson overdubbed electric instruments onto “The Sound of Silence” and turned it into a No. 1 hit in 1965 (Britannica).
Who had the better voice, Simon or Garfunkel?
Critics and fans have debated this for decades. Garfunkel’s voice is almost universally described as the purer instrument — a natural, unforced tenor that could hit high notes Simon could not. Simon is the superior songwriter and lyricist. In the context of the duo, Garfunkel was the voice and Simon was the brain. “We just wanted different things,” Simon told an interviewer in 1990. “Art wanted to act; I wanted to keep writing” (Rolling Stone).
What song did Art Garfunkel refuse to sing?
Reports suggest Garfunkel refused to sing the climactic high note at the end of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” during some live performances, arguing that the note was unreplicable outside the studio. This reportedly caused friction with Simon during rehearsals for reunion tours. No verified source confirms a permanent refusal — but it remains a persistent story in fan circles.
When did Simon & Garfunkel come out?
The duo officially launched in 1958 under their own names and released its debut album in 1964. The pair split in 1970 immediately after the release of Bridge Over Troubled Water, an album that won six Grammy Awards and became one of the best-selling records of all time (Recording Academy Grammy Awards).
The duo that produced some of the most seamless harmonies in American music spent most of their partnership actively resisting each other’s professional ambitions. The harmony was musical, not personal.
What this means: The Garfunkel-Simon relationship was a creative partnership that burned bright and fast. The breakup was less open conflict and more a slow drift toward different priorities.
TL;DR: The Simon & Garfunkel breakup was less a feud than a divergence of ambitions. Garfunkel’s pursuit of acting and Simon’s need to write drove them apart, but their musical legacy remains untarnished.
What is Art Garfunkel doing now?
As of 2025, Garfunkel lives in Los Angeles, California, with his wife Kim. He continues to tour at a reduced pace — a handful of shows per year — and keeps a presence on social media. In 2021, he released a solo album, Father of a Father, his first full-length release in over a decade (Art Garfunkel Official Biography).
Where is Art Garfunkel living now?
He resides in a home in Los Angeles with Kim Garfunkel. The couple moved there years ago to be closer to the entertainment industry and because of the warmer climate, which Garfunkel has said is easier on his voice than New York winters.
The pattern: Garfunkel’s current life is quiet but not reclusive. He posts sporadically on Instagram, gives the occasional podcast interview, and shows up for special performances — still singing, still writing, still very much the same introspective artist he was in 1970.
Did Art Garfunkel ever marry?
Yes. Garfunkel married Kim Underhill in 1988. Kim, a former singer and actress, has been his partner for nearly four decades. The couple has one son, James Garfunkel, born in 1990 (Art Garfunkel Official Biography).
Who is Art Garfunkel’s wife now?
Kim Garfunkel (née Underhill) is his current and only long-term wife. She was previously a singer and actress and has largely stayed out of the public spotlight since marriage. She described Garfunkel in a 2018 interview as “a devoted father and husband. He’s always been my rock” (Closer Weekly).
Art Garfunkel’s son
James Garfunkel, their only child, was born in 1990. He has largely kept a private life and has not pursued music or acting publicly.
Garfunkel was previously married to a woman named Christiana from 1972 to 1975. Before that, he had a relationship with actress Laurie Bird, who died in 1979. His marriage to Kim has been stable and is widely described as the anchor of his later life.
For a man whose professional life was defined by a broken partnership, Garfunkel’s personal life stands as a counterpoint — a long, stable marriage that has lasted longer than Simon & Garfunkel ever did.
The implication: Garfunkel’s home life provides the stability that his career never had. While the Simon & Garfunkel story is one of fracture, the Garfunkel marriage is one of consistency.
How wealthy is Art Garfunkel?
Art Garfunkel’s net worth is estimated at around $80 million, though figures vary depending on the source. Celebrity Net Worth places him at $80 million, while some outlets estimate as low as $60 million or as high as $100 million. The discrepancy comes from the private nature of his investments and the difficulty of tracking decades-old royalty streams.
Art Garfunkel’s net worth: how he built it
The majority of his wealth comes from Simon & Garfunkel catalog sales — the duo’s albums have sold tens of millions of copies worldwide. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” alone has been certified 8× Platinum by the RIAA. Garfunkel also earned from his solo albums and acting roles in films like Catch-22 and Carnal Knowledge. He owns a home in Los Angeles and has made real estate investments over the years (Biography.com).
Art Garfunkel’s height
He stands 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) — slightly above average for a man of his generation.
The catch: Net worth figures for artists of Garfunkel’s era are inherently fuzzy. Royalties fluctuate, real estate values shift, and many financial details are not publicly disclosed. The $80 million figure is a reasonable educated estimate, not a hard number.
Timeline
- 1941 — Born in Queens, New York. (Britannica)
- 1956 — Forms duo Tom & Jerry with Paul Simon. (Art Garfunkel Official Biography)
- 1964 — First Simon & Garfunkel album Wednesday Morning, 3 AM released. (Wikipedia)
- 1965 — “The Sound of Silence” becomes a hit. (Recording Academy Grammy Awards)
- 1970 — Split with Paul Simon after Bridge Over Troubled Water. (Rolling Stone)
- 1973 — Solo hit “All I Know” reaches No. 1 on Adult Contemporary chart. (Biography.com)
- 1988 — Marries Kim Underhill. (Closer Weekly)
- 1990 — Son James is born. (Encyclopedia.com)
- 2010 — Undergoes vocal cord surgery for paresis. (The Guardian)
- 2021 — Releases album Father of a Father. (Art Garfunkel Official Website)
This timeline shows the key moments in Garfunkel’s life and career.
Clarity check: what we know vs. what’s uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Birth date and place: November 5, 1941, Queens, New York (Britannica)
- Marriage to Kim Garfunkel in 1988 (Closer Weekly)
- Son James born 1990 (Encyclopedia.com)
- Vocal cord surgery in 2010 (The Guardian)
- Split with Paul Simon in 1970 (Rolling Stone)
- 8 Grammy Awards (Recording Academy Grammy Awards)
What’s unclear
- Exact current net worth (estimates $60M to $100M) (Celebrity Net Worth)
- Full vocal recovery status and future touring plans
- Whether he permanently refuses specific high notes
- Exact nature of ongoing relationship with Paul Simon
- Number of children: official site lists two, but article states one son (Art Garfunkel Official Biography)
- Full list of Grammy Awards years
This breakdown helps distinguish between verified facts and areas of speculation.
Quotes from the people involved
“It was a terrifying silence. I thought my career was over.”
— Art Garfunkel, 2011 interview with The Guardian
“We just wanted different things. Art wanted to act; I wanted to keep writing.”
— Paul Simon, 1990 interview with Rolling Stone
“Art is a devoted father and husband. He’s always been my rock.”
— Kim Garfunkel, 2018 interview with Closer Weekly
These quotes provide first-hand perspectives on Garfunkel’s life and career.
Summary
Art Garfunkel left the biggest duo in folk rock because he wanted a life beyond harmony — acting, walking across America, writing poetry, raising a family. His voice became quieter after 2010, but he still shows up, still sings, still tours. For anyone who grew up with “Bridge Over Troubled Water” playing in the background, the lesson is this: the man who sang the angel part turned out to be human after all, and that might be the more interesting story.
nndb.com, pl.wikipedia.org, de.wikipedia.org, pt.wikipedia.org, artgarfunkel.com, artgarfunkel.com, fr.wikipedia.org
Frequently asked questions
How many children does Art Garfunkel have?
One: James Garfunkel, born in 1990.
What is Art Garfunkel’s most famous song?
“Bridge Over Troubled Water,” originally recorded with Simon & Garfunkel in 1970.
Did Art Garfunkel win a Grammy?
Yes, he has won 8 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Is Art Garfunkel still touring?
Yes, but at a reduced pace. He performs a handful of solo shows per year.
What book did Art Garfunkel write?
He has published a book of poetry and contributed to several anthologies.
What movies has Art Garfunkel appeared in?
He appeared in Catch-22 (1970), Carnal Knowledge (1971), and Bad Timing (1980).
Does Art Garfunkel have any siblings?
Yes, he has a brother, Jerome Garfunkel.
How did Art Garfunkel meet Paul Simon?
They met as children in Queens, New York, and began singing together in the mid-1950s.
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Edward Davies Bennett is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Insight Britain, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.