50 years old (Born on July 22, 1973)
American-Canadian singer-songwriter and composer.
Nephew of Anna McGarrigle. Studied classical and modern piano at McGill University. His character Jeremy in Heights (2005) was based on himself. His song "Dinner At Eight" is about an argument he and his father Loudon Wainwright III had once. Is friends with actor Alan Cumming.Rufus Wainwright's Best Moments
Fun Facts About Rufus Wainwright
Son of singer/actor Loudon Wainwright III and singer Kate McGarrigle.
Brother of Martha Wainwright.
A fan of the film Grey Gardens (1975), he wrote a song with the same name for his second album, Poses. The song features an audio clip of 'Edith 'Little Edie' Bouvier Beale', taken from the film.
Performed songs featured in the soundtracks for The Myth of Fingerprints (1997) and Big Daddy (1999/I).
Is writing an opera, which will be called "Prima Donna".
His favorite songs are "Mystery Train" by Elvis Presley, "Talk To Me Of Mendocino" by Kate & Anna McGarrigle, "Trains And Boats And Planes" by Dionne Warwick, "I Want You" by Bob Dylan, "69 Anne Erotic" by Serge Gainsbourg, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by Roberta Flack, "Heart Of Glass" by Blondie, "Accentuate The Positive" by Harold Arlen, "Venus As A Boy" by Bjork and "In My Room" by The Beach Boys. (Source: BBC Radio 2 "Tracks of My Years").
Once lived in New York's famous Chelsea Hotel.
Performed the song "Complainte de la Butte" for the film Moulin Rouge! (2001), the only song in French featured in the Paris-set movie.
Longtime companion has been Ju00f6rg Weisbrodt, a German concert manager for the Berlin State Opera since 2005.
Named "Best New Artist" by "Rolling Stone" magazine in 1999.
I Eat Dinner (When the Hunger's Gone), the song he sings in Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), was written by his mother, Kate McGarrigle.
Considers Judy Garland his top gay icon, according to an interview with "The Observer" (21 December 2006).
His parents considered naming him Oscar.
His song 'Gay Messiah' originally started out as a political song to sing at parties.
Kate Winslet is a fan of his song 'Poses' -- mentioned in one of her ads for AmEx.
His song "Beauty Mark" is about his mother, Kate McGarrigle.
The music video for a song from his debut album was filmed in Gwen Stefani's home.
His song "Natasha" is written about Natasha Lyonne.
The song 'The One You Love' (from his album 'Want Two') features a line from the song 'See What Percy's Picked Up in the Park.' The line is modified, so instead of "Singing, oh Jerusalem, oh Jerusalem, see what Percy's picked up in the park" it is "I'm singing oh Jerusalem, oh Jerusalem, see what he's picked up in the park. The song is about coming to terms with ones sexual escapades.
His song "Memphis Sky Line" (from his album Want Two) is dedicated to Jeff Buckley.
His song "Matinee Idol" is about River Phoenix.
Heard an amazing recording of Verdi's Requiem when he was 14, and for ten years, he listened to opera and only opera.
His debut album ('Rufus Wainwright') is about a straight man who he fell for named Danny. This can be reflected in the song 'Danny Boy.'.
His father is an American of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His mother is of French-Canadian decent.
Won a Juno Award for "Best Alternative Album" in 1999 and 2002.
Wainwright is a big fan of opera and counts the Metropolitan Opera House as one of his favorite places in New York.
Grew up in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.