‘Weird Al’ Yankovic Now: What Happened to the Unconventional Music Star?
"Weird Al" Yankovic is an American singer and songwriter, and many have wondered what happened to him. However, he's been working hard on an upcoming music biopic.
Musician and comedian "Weird Al" Yankovic's upcoming biopic is titled "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story." The much-anticipated story was produced and written by "Weird Al," with executive producer, director, and writer, Eric Appel.
The comedic biopic will star some well-known actors in the entertainment industry. The lead character, "Weird Al," will be played by famous English actor and "Harry Potter" star Daniel Radcliffe.
"Weird Al" Yankovic at El Capitan Theatre on November 3, 2021, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images
The other top names in "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story" include actress Evan Rachel Wood, who will play Madonna. Julianne Nicholson will appear as Mary Yankovic, his mother. Rainn Wilson got the part of radio DJ Dr. Demento, and Toby Huss will play Nick Yankovic, his father.
Quinta Brunson got the role of Oprah Winfrey, and there's also Spencer Treat Clark as Steve Jay, James Preston Rogers as Hulk Hogan, and Mama Bear played by Dot-Marie Jones.
The biopic is about "Weird Al's" life and reveals his childhood as a genius and what led him to decide to pursue a career in music. It will also showcase the multiple Grammy Award-winning artist rise to fame.
The biopic will be released on November 4, 2022, on The Roku Channel. It premiered in September 2022 at the Toronto International Film Festival. "Weird Al" Yankovic's fans are also interested in knowing about other projects he's involved in and if the singer is still recording.
"Weird Al" Yankovic's Success Story Is Exceptional
"Weird Al" was born Alfred Matthew Yankovic in Downey, California, on October 23, 1959. He is a famous entertainer that started recording music in the 70s. He obtained a bachelor's degree in architecture from California Polytechnic State University after graduating from Lynwood High School.
"Weird Al" played the accordion as a teenager and used to send homemade tapes to the Dr. Demento Radio Show., and is known for his comedy songs and satirical skits. His first comedic song was released in 1976.
Some of his albums include "Dare to Be Stupid," "Off the Deep End," and "Straight Outta Lynwood." He has received 16 Grammy Award nominations and won five in his musical career. He has also reportedly accumulated about $20 million in net worth.
"Weird Al" Is Also an Actor and Writer
Besides being a talented musician, "Weird Al" is also an actor and a writer. His distinctive personality and comedic talent opened doors for the singer, who also pursued a career in acting. As an actor, he has made numerous appearances, with his first film being 1984's "Welcome to the Fun Zone."
He also went on to feature in the TV series "Amazing Stories" in 1987, "D.C. Follies," and "Parker Lewis Can't Lose." "Weird Al," wrote a comedy film in 1989 titled "UHF," in which he also starred. He revealed in 2014 that he wished to make another film.
His latest roles are in the television series "Reno 911!" from 2020 to 2022, "Hamster & Gretel" in 2022 as the voice of Wacko Wally, and "Star Wars: Detours" in 2022. "Weird Al's" upcoming appearances will be in the series "Velma," voicing Dandruff Tuba, and "It Wants Blood 2" in 2023.
The multi-talented individual has also tried his hand at directing. He directed most music videos for his songs, including "Perform This Way" and "White & Nerdy." The multi-hyphenate also makes videos for other acts.
Apart from acting and directing, "Weird Al" is also an author. Due to the silly and funny song parodies in his songs, most children were fans of most of his tracks. That's why he eventually became a children's author and has released a few books.
"Weird Al's" first children's book is titled "When I Grow Up," released in 2011. It ended up staying six weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and is also available as an audiobook. Its success has also led to it having an app.
His other published book, "My New Teacher & Me," was released in 2013. The author's second release is a second installment of the adventures of his character in the first book. The book is also available as an audiobook.
"Weird Al" Yankovic Lost Both of His Parents in a Tragic Accident
"Weird Al" tragically lost his parents in April 2004 after they were found dead in their home. According to officials, Nick and Mary Yankovic were victims of carbon monoxide poisoning. They were 86 and 81 when they died.
Family members discovered the couple after they went to their house to check on them because they hadn't seen them in a while. Nick was found in the living room, and Mary was in the bathroom.
Sheriff Sgt. Conrad Grayson said the fireplace recently had a fire, and the house was "full of smoke" when they entered it. They found wood in the fireplace, and relatives reportedly "found the flue closed."
"Weird Al" Yankovic with his wife, daughter, and parents at his Star Ceremony On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame on August 27, 2018, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images
Neighbors described Nick and Mary as friendly individuals, and most people in the neighborhood knew Nick. They also said the parents were proud of their son "Weird Al's" accomplishments, and they would be "missed big time."
"Weird Al" had opened up about the loss of his parents. He shared that his mother and father started a fire in the home with the flue closed, and they "were asphyxiated." He also revealed in his statement that he learned about his parent's death on his way to a concert when his wife called him.
"Weird Al" said he considered canceling some of his shows; however, the 63-year-old decided to continue performing as doing it was a form of therapy for him after the tragic loss.
"Weird Al" Yankovic Is a Husband and a Proud Father
Some may wonder where is "Weird Al" Yankovic now in terms of his personal life. Well, the Grammy Award-winning musician has had quite a few relationships over the years with some famous women. He had most of these romances at the height of his career in the 80s and 90s.
"Weird Al" often kept his relationships from the spotlight, and he reportedly dated singers, TV personalities, and even one of his co-stars. However, he found a woman to settle down with during the early 2000s.
He married Suzanne Krajewski, a 20th Century Fox executive, in 2001. "Weird Al" and Suzanne were introduced to each other by "Lost in Space" actor Bill Mumy, a mutual friend. The couple spoke about their relationship during an interview with Rolling Stone in 2014.
Suzanne Krajewski revealed she was initially skeptical about "Weird Al" because of his persona, but she quickly changed her mind. The two actually "clicked immediately." The pair spoke a lot on the phone before meeting, and "Weird Al" shared that he had "a major crush" on Suzanne before seeing her.
"Weird Al," said both of them, married late in life, and it was the first time they walked down the aisle. He also said they didn't intend to remarry either. He said "Behind The Music" made a big deal about him being nearly 40 and still single. "Weird Al" said he "enjoyed being single" and further said:
"But when I got married, I found I was even happier, and when I had a kid, I was even happier, still."
"Weird Al" is a doting dad to his lovely daughter Nina. He described her as "an ideal kid" and said she loved the outdoors and animals. She loves reading and has a bird named Dina and a rescue poodle, Sandy.
"Weird Al" Is Still Touring as Well as Releasing Successful Records
"Weird Al" has continued to do concerts and tours. Four of his albums, "Mandatory Fun," "Alpocalypse," "Straight Outta Lynwood," and "Poodle Hat," landed in the top 20 of Billboard's Top 200 albums chart. One of the albums, "Straight Outta Lynwood," sold 500k and was certified gold.
His top chart position was number nine on the Billboard 200 in 2011 for "Alpocalypse." During an interview with Billboard in 2011, he expressed his gratitude that after three decades in the industry, he was "still peaking." The superstar's new biopic will probably raise his popularity even more.
Another music star who's well-known in the music industry is Brad Paisley. The singer/songwriter has been releasing country music for decades and has been married for nearly 20 years.