Known for movies
Dark Shadows (2012)
as Soundtrack
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
as Soundtrack
Shrek Forever After (2010)
as Soundtrack
The Parent Trap (1998)
as Soundtrack
Short Info
| Net Worth | $10 million |
| Date Of Birth | October 15, 1946 |
| Died | February 26, 2012, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, July 1, 2011, Southampton, New York, United States |
| Spouse | Mary Carpenter, Adelaide de Menil |
| Fact | He and his sister, Karen Carpenter, were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6931 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on October 12, 1983. |
Richard Carpenter was born on October 15, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut. His father, George, was a jazz musician and his mother, Agnes, was a singer. He has two older sisters, Mary and Karen.
He began playing the piano at an early age and by the time he was nine, he had composed his first song. He attended the Yale School of Music and then the Juilliard School, where he studied composition and piano.
After graduation, he toured with his sister Karen as part of The Carpenters. The duo had great success with hits like “Close to You” and “We’ve Only Just Begun.”
In 1983, Karen died of heart failure. Richard continued to perform and record as a solo artist and with other musicians. He has won three Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
He is currently married to his third wife, Mary, and they have two children.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18pmJtJtBvs
Richard Carpenter has an estimated net worth of $40 million.
General Info
| Full Name | Richard Carpenter |
| Net Worth | $10 million |
| Date Of Birth | October 15, 1946 |
| Died | February 26, 2012, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom, July 1, 2011, Southampton, New York, United States |
| Height | 1.83 m |
| Profession | Record producer, Film Score Composer, Lyricist, Film producer, Keyboard Player, Actor, Music Arranger, Singer, Songwriter, Pianist, Top of the World, Yesterday Once More, Rainy Days and Mondays |
| Education | California State University, Long Beach, University of Southern California, Top of the World, Yesterday Once More, Rainy Days and Mondays, University of Pennsylvania |
| Nationality | American |
Family
| Spouse | Mary Carpenter, Adelaide de Menil |
| Children | Kristi Lynn Carpenter, Tracy Tatum Carpenter, Taylor Mary Carpenter, Collin Paul Carpenter, Mindi Karen Carpenter, Top of the World, Yesterday Once More, Rainy Days and Mondays, Rhys Carpenter, Ian Carpenter, Stephen Carpenter |
| Parents | Harold Carpenter, Agnes Carpenter, Top of the World, Yesterday Once More, Rainy Days and Mondays, Fletcher Hawthorne Carpenter, Agnes "Barbara" Wight |
| Siblings | Karen Carpenter |
Accomplishments
| Music Groups | Carpenters |
| Movies | The Karen Carpenter Story, Petula Clark: A Sign of the Times, Gold: Greatest Hits, The 5th Dimension Travelling Sunshine Show |
| TV Shows | Robin of Sherwood, Dick Turpin, The Ghosts of Motley Hall, Catweazle, Out of Sight, Cloud Burst |
Social profile links
Quotes
| # | Quote |
|---|---|
| 1 | Even though I was calling people saying "She doesn't look well", I still didn't think she'd actually pass away. |
| 2 | The Carpenters didn't just hit, they exploded. |
Facts
| # | Fact |
|---|---|
| 1 | Started his own official website. Richard Carpenter news, biography, and pictures are available and he is graciously answering fan's questions and e-mails through the website. [May 2004] |
| 2 | He and his sister, Karen Carpenter, were awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 6931 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on October 12, 1983. |
| 3 | He was managed by Jerry Weintraub from 1976 - 1983 |
| 4 | He was managed by Terry Ellis from 1975 - 1976 |
| 5 | He was managed by Sherwin Bash from 1970 - 1975 |
| 6 | Regrets making the song "Mr. Guder". |
| 7 | In Thousand Oaks, California, Richard and Mary are recognized as "Distinguished Grand Patrons of the Arts", for their contribution to the arts. |
| 8 | Richard's $3 million pledge to the non-profit organization, "Alliance for the Arts", was the largest individual gift ever received by the "Alliance for the Arts" and the largest in Ventura County for the arts. |
| 9 | In 2004, he donated $3 million to the "Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza". In recognition of the gift, a 3.1 acre park located in front of the "Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza" facing Thousand Oaks Boulevard will be named "Mary and Richard Carpenter Plaza Park". $2 million dollars of the donation will support the general program at T.O.C.A.P., and the remaining $1 million dollars will be used to establish the "Richard Carpenter Scholarship Program". |
| 10 | In 2003, he donated a Yamaha concert grand piano to the "Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza". |
| 11 | Participates in the Celebrity Ambassador Program for "Alliance for the Arts", a Thousand Oaks fundraising group for the arts. |
| 12 | Has loved automobiles all his life, and started a great collection of rare cars from the 1950s and 1960s. His warehouse "Yesterday Once More" keeps models of these cars. |
| 13 | Some of his musical inspiration is: Burt Bacharach, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Les Paul, Mary Ford, Spike Jones, Perry Como |
| 14 | Was born in the same year and town as President George W. Bush |
| 15 | Is on the honorary board of ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders). |
| 16 | His red 1972 Ferrari's driver license plate was "SONG 4U". |
| 17 | Parents are Harold Carpenter and Agnes Carpenter. |
| 18 | Had lived in Downey, California for the majority of his life. During 2000, he moved his family from Downey and now lives in Thousand Oaks, California. |
| 19 | After his sister's death, he has made two unsuccessful solo albums, and has produced new 'greatest hits' compilations of Carpenters music. The songs on the new compilations are usually remixed. |
| 20 | The Carpenters are the bestselling and most successful foreign artists in Japan. Their record sales have passed those of Michael Jackson and the Eagles. |
| 21 | Became a multi-millionaire in his early 20s. |
| 22 | Still writes and produces music at A&M Records. |
| 23 | Dedicated his second solo album to his mother Agnes Carpenter. |
| 24 | Attended and graduated from California State University, Long Beach. |
| 25 | Wears contact lenses. |
| 26 | Helped open the Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, California, where he occasionally performs. |
| 27 | His five children are: Kristy Lynn, Tracy Tatum, Mindi Karen, Collin Paul and Taylor Mary. |
| 28 | Attended and graduated from Downey High School in Downey, California. |
| 29 | Wrote songs with John Bettis for the Carpenters. |
| 30 | On February 22, 1983, Richard received a letter of sympathy from Richard Nixon after his sister Karen Carpenter's death. |
| 31 | His wife had their first child when he was 40. |
| 32 | Met his future wife in 1975, and finally married her in 1984. |
| 33 | Loves to play piano. |
| 34 | Is angry about how his sister Karen Carpenter's anorexia was medically handled. |
| 35 | Started his own band in the mid-1960s called The Dick Carpenter Trio along with his sister Karen Carpenter. |
| 36 | Regretted being a part of The Karen Carpenter Story (1989). |
| 37 | In 1998, when he was 52 years old, his wife gave birth to a son, Collin. |
| 38 | In April 1998, the RIAA certified a number of Carpenters albums gold ("Voice of the Heart" and "An Old Fashioned Christmas"), platinum ("Christmas Portrait" (1978) and "Horizon" (1975)) and multi-platinum ("Close to You" (1970), "Now and Then" (1973) and "Yesterday Once More" (1973) - all at two million). Furthermore, it was certified that "A Song for You" (1972) had sold three million copies, "The Carpenters" (1971) had sold four million copies, and "The Singles 1969-1973" (1973) sold seven million copies. |
| 39 | Released a solo album in 1997 - "Richard Carpenter: A Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Conductor". |
| 40 | His first three daughters were born on: Kristi Lynn Carpenter (August 17, 1987) - Traci Tatum Carpenter (July 25, 1989) - Mindi Karen (July 7, 1992). |
| 41 | Was one-half of one of the most successful pop/rock duos of the 1970s, The Carpenters, with his sister Karen Carpenter. |
Pictures
Movies
Soundtrack
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Levenslied | TV Series lyrics - 1 episode, 2013 music - 1 episode, 2013 | ||
| Dark Shadows | 2012 | writer: "Top of the World" | |
| Britain's Favourite Christmas Songs | 2011 | TV Movie documentary writer: "Merry Christmas Darling" | |
| Glee | 2010 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
| Shrek Forever After | 2010 | writer: "Top of the World" | |
| Tsuma yo! Matsumoto sarin jiken: Hannin to yobarete... Kazoku wo mamori nuita 15 nen | 2009 | TV Movie documentary writer: "Top of the World", "Yesterday Once More" - uncredited | |
| The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift | 2006 | writer: "Top of the World" | |
| Independent Lens | 2003-2005 | TV Series documentary writer - 2 episodes | |
| Double Dare | 2004 | Documentary writer: "Top Of The World" | |
| New Zealand Idol | 2004 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
| The Simpsons | TV Series 1 episode, 1997 music - 1 episode, 1999 | ||
| Regine: R2K | 1999 | Video documentary writer: "One Love" | |
| The Parent Trap | 1998 | writer: "Top Of The World" | |
| Close to You: Remembering the Carpenters | 1997 | TV Movie documentary writer: "Yesterday Once More", "Goodbye To Love", "Top Of The World", "Only Yesterday", "Merry Christmas Darling" | |
| High School High | 1996 | writer: "Top Of The World" | |
| Bat Yam - New York | TV Series lyrics - 2 episodes, 1996 music - 2 episodes, 1996 arranger - 1 episode, 1996 | ||
| The Last Supper | 1995/I | writer: "Top Of The World" | |
| Friends | 1994 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
| Lush Life | 1993 | TV Movie "Walkin" | |
| Voyage | 1993 | TV Movie writer: "Yesterday Once More" | |
| Road to Alice | 1992 | Short writer: "Top Of The World" | |
| The Spirit of '76 | 1990 | writer: "Top Of The World" | |
| The Karen Carpenter Story | 1989 | TV Movie writer: "All of My Life", "I'll Be Yours", "Don't Be Afraid", "Eve", "Top of the World", "Karen's Theme" | |
| Let's Get Lost | 1988 | Documentary "Walkin'" | |
| Better Off Dead... | 1985 | producer: "Here Comes Santa Claus" | |
| Carpenters: Yesterday Once More | 1985 | Video writer: "Those Good Old Dreams", "Top Of The World", "Only Yesterday" | |
| The Carpenters: Music, Music, Music | 1980 | TV Special performer: "Dizzy Fingers", "Without A Song" / writer: "Someday" | |
| Claude François - le film de sa vie | 1979 | Documentary writer: "Sha La La Hier Est Près De MoiYesterday once more | |
| The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait | 1978 | TV Special writer: "Merry Christmas Darling" | |
| Carpenters Very First Television Special | 1976 | TV Special lyrics: "Sing / Close To You / For All We Know / Ticket To Ride / Only Yesterday / I Won't Last A Day Without You / Goodbye To Love" - Hits Medley '76 / writer: "Top Of The World" | |
| The Sonny and Cher Show | 1976 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
| The Ernie Sigley Show | 1974-1975 | TV Series writer - 3 episodes | |
| The Perry Como Christmas Show | 1974 | TV Special lyrics: "They Long to Be Close to You/It's Impossible/We've Only Just Begun/And I Love You So/Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes/Yesterday Once More" / performer: "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas", "Carol Of The Bells", "Santa Claus is Coming to Town", "They Long to Be Close to You/It's Impossible/We've Only Just Begun/And I Love You So/Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes/Yesterday Once More" | |
| The Benny Hill Show | 1974 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
| The Graham Kennedy Show | 1972-1973 | TV Series writer - 3 episodes | |
| Sez Les | 1973 | TV Series writer - 1 episode | |
| Christmas Is | 2016 | TV Movie music: "Merry Christmas Darling" 1970 post-production |
Composer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters: Interpretations - A 25th Anniversary Celebration | 1995 | Video short | |
| The Karen Carpenter Story | 1989 | TV Movie | |
| Carpenters: Yesterday Once More | 1985 | Video |
Music Department
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait | 1978 | TV Special musical arrangements | |
| The Carpenters at Christmas | 1977 | TV Special all christmas songs selected by / musical arrangements |
Producer
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenters: Interpretations - A 25th Anniversary Celebration | 1995 | Video short executive producer | |
| The Karen Carpenter Story | 1989 | TV Movie executive producer | |
| Carpenters: Yesterday Once More | 1985 | Video executive producer |
Director
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Karen Carpenter Story | 1989 | TV Movie uncredited |
Self
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Nation's Favourite Carpenters Song | 2016 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| The Joy of Easy Listening | 2011 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Legends | 2007-2010 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| American Masters | 2007 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Only Yesterday: The Carpenters' Story | 2007 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Entertainment Tonight | 1983-2004 | TV Series | Himself |
| Living Famously | 2003 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Close to You: The Story of the Carpenters | 2002 | TV Movie | Himself - Narrator |
| Petula Clark: A Sign of the Times | 2001 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Petula Clark: This Is My Song | 2001 | TV Movie | Himself |
| Biography | 1998 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Behind the Music | 1998 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Close to You: Remembering the Carpenters | 1997 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Great Performances | 1996 | TV Series | Himself |
| One on One with John Tesh | 1991 | TV Series | Himself |
| The 11th Annual American Music Awards | 1984 | TV Special | Himself - Performer |
| The 25th Annual Grammy Awards | 1983 | TV Special | Himself |
| Show-Express | 1981 | TV Series | Himself - Musician |
| Multi-Coloured Swap Shop | 1981 | TV Series | Himself |
| Nationwide | 1981 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| The Merv Griffin Show | 1981 | TV Series | Himself |
| Good Morning America | 1981 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Carpenters: Music, Music, Music | 1980 | TV Special | Himself |
| The Carpenters: A Christmas Portrait | 1978 | TV Special | Himself |
| Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color | 1978 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | 1970-1978 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Carpenters... Space Encounters | 1978 | TV Special | Himself |
| Starparade | 1978 | TV Series | Himself - Musician |
| ABC's Silver Anniversary Celebration | 1978 | TV Special | Himself |
| The Carpenters at Christmas | 1977 | TV Special | Himself |
| American Bandstand's 25th Anniversary | 1977 | TV Special | Himself (The Carpenters) |
| Carpenters Very First Television Special | 1976 | TV Special | Himself |
| The Carpenters Concert: Live at the New London Theatre | 1976 | TV Movie | Himself - Musician |
| Die Drehscheibe | 1975 | TV Series | Himself - Musician |
| Disco | 1975 | TV Series | Himself - Musician |
| The Perry Como Christmas Show | 1974 | TV Special | Himself |
| Evening at Pops | 1974 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Rock Concert | 1974 | TV Series | Himself |
| Robert Young with the Young | 1973 | TV Special | Himself (as The Carpenters) |
| The Special London Bridge Special | 1972 | TV Movie | Himself (as The Carpenters) |
| Jerry Visits | 1972 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Carol Burnett Show | 1971-1972 | TV Series | Himself |
| Carpenters 1971 BBC Television Special | 1971 | TV Short documentary | Himself |
| In Concert | 1971 | TV Series | Himself |
| The Carpenters | 1971 | TV Special | Himself |
| Lulus Party | 1971 | TV Movie | Himself - The Carpenters (uncredited) |
| Top of the Pops | 1971 | TV Series | Himself |
| Make Your Own Kind of Music! | 1971 | TV Series | Himself |
| This Is Your Life | 1971 | TV Series | Himself |
| Carpenters: Close to You | 1970 | Video | Himself |
| The Ed Sullivan Show | 1970 | TV Series | Himself - Musician |
| Your All-American College Show | 1968 | TV Series | Himself - Musician |
Archive Footage
| Title | Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karen Carpenter: Goodbye to Love | 2016 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Autopsy: The Last Hours Of | 2014 | TV Series | Himself |
| Paul Williams Still Alive | 2011 | Documentary | Himself |
| ...Sings The Beatles | 2009 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| 20 to 1 | 2006 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Entertainment Tonight | 2005 | TV Series | Himself |
| Andy Williams: My Favorite Duets | 2004 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| I Love the '70s | 2003 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| E! True Hollywood Story | 1997 | TV Series documentary | Himself |
| Carpenters: Interpretations - A 25th Anniversary Celebration | 1995 | Video short | Himself |
| The Carol Burnett Show: A Reunion | 1993 | TV Movie documentary | Himself |
| Carpenters: Yesterday Once More | 1985 | Video | Himself |
| Texaco Presents: A Quarter Century of Bob Hope on Television | 1975 | TV Special | Himself |
Source: IMDb, Wikipedia
