Garry Kief is a TV executive, producer, and manager who is best known as the husband of legendary singer-songwriter Barry Manilow. The couple has been together for over four decades, but their relationship was kept a secret until 2015 when the news of their marriage broke out.
Garry Kief Wiki/Bio, Nationality
| Name | Garry Clayton Kief |
|---|---|
| Birth date | In 1950 |
| Birt place | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | CEO and president of Stiletto Entertainment Group, president of Barry Manilow Productions, TV executive, producer, manager |
| Education | University of Houston (degree in radio and television production) |
| Spouse | Barry Manilow (m. 2014) |
| Children | Kirsten Kief (daughter from previous marriage) |
| Notable works | Producing Barry Manilow’s concerts, albums, and TV specials, such as Barry Manilow: Live in London, Barry Manilow: Songs from the Seventies, and Barry Manilow: The Greatest Songs of the Eighties |
| Awards | Emmy Award for Outstanding Music Direction (1986), Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special (2006), Emmy Award for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety or Music Series or Special (2006) |
| Hobbies | Golfing, philanthropy, dog lover |
| Social Links | IMDB- @nm0452350 Instagram- @garry_kief_ Homepage- Sagalnews |
Biography
Garry Kief was born in 1950 (age: 73 years, as of 2023) in Houston, Texas. He grew up in a conservative family and attended the University of Houston, where he studied broadcasting. He started his career in the TV industry as a production assistant and worked his way up to become a director and producer of various shows and events.
He has worked with networks such as ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, and HBO, and has produced shows such as American Bandstand, Solid Gold, and The Donny and Marie Show. He has also been involved in the production of award shows, concerts, and specials, such as the Grammy Awards, the Emmy Awards, the Academy Awards, and the Super Bowl Halftime Show.
How Garry Kief Met Barry Manilow and Becoming His Manager?
Garry Kief met Barry Manilow in 1978, when he was hired to work on one of his TV specials. The two hit it off instantly and fell in love. He soon became Manilow’s manager and took charge of his career and business affairs. He helped Manilow achieve success and fame in the music industry, as well as diversify his ventures into theater, film, and books.
Kief also became Manilow’s confidant and partner in life, supporting him through his personal and professional challenges. He and Manilow have been inseparable ever since, and have shared a home in Palm Springs, California, for many years.
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Height, Weight
- Height: 5’ 10″ (1.78 m)
- Weight: 75 kg (165 lbs) (estimated)
- Eye color: Brown
- Body measurements: Not available
- Skin color: White
- Hair color: Black
- Shoe size: Not available
How did they keep their relationship secret?
Barry Manilow and Garry Kief kept their relationship secret for decades, fearing that it would ruin Manilow’s career and image, especially in the conservative 1970s and 1980s. “It wasn’t the same as it is today. Now being gay is no big deal but back in the 70s, it would have killed a career. The public was not ready for anybody to come out,” Manilow said.
They also valued their privacy and did not want to share their personal life with the media and the fans. “And frankly, it was just too personal. I just didn’t want to talk about my personal life anyway. I never did that. I was happy talking about music. But talking about my personal life was just kind of creepy to me. So I never did,” Manilow added.
They only confided in their close friends and family, who supported and respected their choice. One of their friends and neighbors, actress Suzanne Somers, described their relationship as “one of the most loving and committed and respectful relationships that I have ever been witness to”.
Marriage and Coming Out
Garry Kief and Barry Manilow got married in a private ceremony at their Palm Springs home in April 2014, after same-sex marriage became legal in California. However, their marriage was not made public until a year later, when a friend of the couple leaked the news to the media. Manilow did not officially come out as gay until 2017, when he gave an interview to People magazine.
He said that he had kept his relationship with Kief a secret out of fear of disappointing his fans, who were mostly female. He also said that he was overwhelmed by the positive reaction he received from his fans and the public after coming out. He said, “I thought I would be disappointing them if they knew I was gay. So, I never did anything. When they found out that Garry and I were together, they were so happy. The reaction was so beautiful — strangers commenting, ‘Great for you!’ I’m just so grateful for it.”
Daughter
Garry Kief has a daughter named Kirsten Kief, who was born from a previous relationship. He is also a stepfather to Manilow’s adopted son, Debra Byrd, who is a singer and vocal coach. He is very close to his family and often spends time with them.
He is also an animal lover and has several dogs and cats as pets. He is a private person and does not like to be in the spotlight. He prefers to stay behind the scenes and let Manilow shine. He is also a humble and generous person, who has been involved in various charitable causes, such as the Manilow Music Project, which provides musical instruments and education to underprivileged schools.
How is their relationship now?
Manilow and Garry Kief are still happily married and living together in their Palm Springs home, where they enjoy a quiet and peaceful life. They also have homes in Los Angeles and Malibu, where they spend time with their friends and family.
They are still working together professionally, as Kief continues to manage Manilow’s career and oversee his projects. They have a strong and trusting partnership, both personally and professionally. “There’s Barry Manilow the performer, and then there’s the Barry ‘machine,’” Somers said. “It takes enormous savvy and know-how to book and market complicated arena tours, choreograph promotion, direct the entire team and make it look effortless, and that part is Garry’s domain. A major career takes two. Between them, there is enormous comfort and trust.”
They also share a love for music, as Garry is a fan of Manilow’s songs and often attends his concerts. Manilow, who has sold over 80 million records worldwide and won numerous awards, including a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Tony, credits Kief for his success and happiness. “He’s the smartest person I’ve ever met in my life — and a great guy, too,” he said.
Net Worth and Achievements
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $850,000 |
| 2022 | $850,000 |
| 2023 | $850,000 |
Garry Kief is more than just Barry Manilow’s husband. He is his soulmate, his best friend, his manager, and his biggest fan. He has been with him through the highs and lows of his career and life, and has always been loyal, supportive, and loving. He has also been a successful and respected professional in his own right, and has made a significant contribution to the entertainment industry. He is a man who has lived his life with integrity, dignity, and grace, and has made a positive impact on the world. He is a man who deserves to be celebrated and admired.
