Michael Jay Feinstein was born on 7 September 1956, in Columbus, Ohio USA, and is a pianist, singer and music revivalist, best known for being the archivist of the repertoire called the Great American Songbook. He is also a recording artist nominated five times for Grammy Awards, and all of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Michael Feinstein? As of early-2017, sources estimate a net worth that is at $10 million, mostly earned through a successful career in the music industry. He won a Drama Desk Special Award for his work on musical theatre songs, and is also the Artistic Director for The Center for the Performing Arts; his endeavors continue, so his wealth should increase.
Michael Feinstein Net Worth $10 million
At five years old, Michael would start learning the piano but struggled since he was more comfortable playing by ear, so his mother took him out of lessons and allowed him to learn his own way. After matriculating from high school, he would start to pursue a career in music.
Feinstein played in local piano bars for two years before moving to Los Angeles when he was 20 years old, where Ira Gershwin hired him to catalogue his large collection of phonograph records; over the next six years, he catalogued and preserved unpublished music of the Gershwins. In 1983, Michael became the musical consultant for the Broadway show entitled “My One and Only”, and started to build up his popularity, becoming well known as a cabaret singer-pianist. His work on the Great American Songbook was also getting attention. He recorded his first CD in 1987 called “Pure Gershwin”, and followed it up with “Remember: Michael Feinstein Sings Irving Berlin”. He then released “Isn’t It Romantic” – a collection of standards – and “Over There”, music from World War I. He also recorded a children’s album called “Pure Imagination” which was released in 1992.
Around this time, Michael started appearing in a series of Broadway shows, before working on a songbook project, collaborating with several composers. Some of his next few releases would include Burton Lane, Jule Styne, and Jerry Herman. In the late 1990s, he released more Gershwin music in albums such as “Nice Work If You Can Get It: Songs by the Gershwins”. The Library of Congress would appoint Michael to be part of the National Recording Preservation Board in 2000, and in 2009 he would become the artistic director of The Center for the Performing Arts. Around the same time, he partnered with Cheyenne Jackson and would create a nightclub act called “The Power of Two”, which gained a lot of critical acclaim.
Feinstein has appeared in several television shows, talk shows, and documentaries; he hosted the radio program “Song Travels with Michael Feinstein” distributed by NPR. In 2012, he was named as the Principal Pops Conductor for the Pasadena POPS and his debut received critical acclaim. He released a memoir called “The Gershwins and Me: A Personal History in Twelve Songs” about working for Ira Gershwin. One of his latest projects is “Michael Feinstein at the Rainbow Room”. His contract with the Pasadena POPS has also been extended through 2019.
For his personal life, it is known that Michael married longtime partner Terrence Flannery in 2008. Their wedding was conducted by Judge Judy and the couple have homes in locations including Los Angeles, Indiana and New York.
Drama Desk Special Award, Outer Critics Circle Special Award, Someone to Watch Over Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It, I Won't Send Roses, Nashville, TN, United States
Record Labels
Nonesuch/Elektra Records, Concord Records
Albums
“Pure Gershwin” (CD, 1987), “The Power of Two” (2008), “West Side Story” (2014), “Pure Imagination” (1992), “Nice Work If You Can Get It: Songs by the Gershwins” (1996), “Isn’t It Romantic” (1988), “Over There”
Nominations
Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song, Someone to Watch Over Me, Nice Work If You Can Get It, I Won't Send Roses, Nashville, TN, United States
Movies
Michael Feinstein: The Sinatra Legacy (2011), Michael Feinstein & Friends (1991), Get Bruce (1999), Ivana Trump's For Love Alone (1996), Broadway's Best at Pops (2005, musical)
TV Shows
Broadway Shows: “Michael Feinstein in Concert” (1988), “Michael Feinstein in Concert: Isn't It Romantic" (1988), “Michael Feinstein in Concert: Piano and Voice” (1990)
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Quote
1
I feel it is important to keep writing and creating more music at a time when we truly need it. Music is healing and significant not only as an art but as a means of creating a transformation.
2
I loved the music that my parents listened to rather than what was on the radio at the time. I was very enamored with show music and I listened to a lot of the music that I now perform.
3
There's definitely a physical feeling performing with an orchestra because our bodies are made up of vibrations and all music that is acoustically-based resonates with the vibrations of the body. So to be onstage with all those instruments vibrating - the emotional effect is thrilling. It's like a high; a wonderful legal high.
4
"The MGM story is just one example of music that's vanishing all the time. We're talking about a unique piece of our cultural history, and for me it's like a death in the family every time we learn that something else has disappeared." (About MGM's 1970 clean-out of priceless film scores, musical manuscripts, and recordings to cut storage costs)
5
"I was secretive about what I did, what I listened to. It was clear that my friends - what friends I had - would laugh at me. The fact is, I didn't have many friends." (about his early love of music)
6
(About how Michael annoyed his sister because he could duplicate whatever she practiced on the keyboard) "At one point she was practicing "Malaguena" over and over again. As soon as she finished, I could sit down and play the piece, because I had heard it enough times. It used to make her nuts."
7
My life is music. It has always been music, and it will always be music.
In 1988, his one-man Broadway show called "Isn't It Romantic: Michael Feinstein in Concert" made him famous.
3
Started playing in piano bars right out of high school to support himself
4
Member of the Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Board
5
Was introduced to Ira Gershwin through Oscar Levant's widow, June. Michael revered Ira and George Gershwin, and he had an encyclopedic knowledge of the pair's work. Michael recounted many stories he knew about the two during his first meeting with Ira, and he was so impressed with the young man that he made him his assistant for 6 years.
6
Has a talent for finding "lost," older songs, and breathing new life into them, thereby preserving great music for future generations.
Owns his own nightclub in Manhattan, Feinstein's at the Regency, which is the premier showcase for cabaret performers. Feinstein himself plays a sold-out show there during the holidays every year.
9
Started playing piano by ear at age 5. Took piano lessons for a couple of months until his teacher became angered that he wasn't reading the music she gave him to play. Since Michael's mother saw no problem with her son's method, she took him out of lessons and allowed him to enjoy music his own way.
10
Father, Edward, used to be a singer and also a sales executive for the Sara Lee Corporation. Mother, Maizie, tap dances semi-professionally.
11
Grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and moved to LA when he was 19 (where he met Ira Gershwin)
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Robert Osborne's 20th Anniversary Tribute
2015
TV Movie documentary performer: "The More I See You"
Michael Feinstein's American Songbook
TV Mini-Series documentary music - 1 episode, 2010 performer - 1 episode, 2010
Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me
2009
TV Movie documentary performer: "Too Marvelous for Words"
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2007
TV Movie documentary performer: "Give Me The Key" / writer: "Give Me The Key"
7th Heaven
2006
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Les amants du Flore
2006
TV Movie performer: "Isn't It Romantic ?"
American Masters
1999
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Get Bruce
1999
Documentary music: "Get Bruce!"
Great Performances
1997
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Cybill
1996
TV Series performer - 1 episode
For Love Alone: The Ivana Trump Story
1996
TV Movie performer: "For Love Alone" / writer: "For Love Alone"
Golden Anniversary
1995
TV Movie documentary performer: "They Can't Take That Away From Me"
Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills
1989
performer: "These Foolish Things"
Bright Lights, Big City
1988
performer: "Let's Have Another Cup Of Coffee"
Thirtysomething
1987
TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Lady in Red
1979
"Wouldn't It Be Wonderful", uncredited
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Devious Maids
2014
TV Series
Michael Feinstein
7th Heaven
2006
TV Series
Mr. Feinstein
The Closer
1998
TV Series
Harry
For Love Alone: The Ivana Trump Story
1996
TV Movie
Michael
This Can't Be Love
1994
TV Movie
The Piano Player
Thirtysomething
1987
TV Series
Pianist and Singer
The Two Mrs. Grenvilles
1987
TV Mini-Series
Pianist
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Michael Feinstein at the Rainbow Room
2014
TV Movie
Soundies: A Musical History Hosted by Michael Feinstein
2007
TV Movie documentary
Get Bruce
1999
Documentary
The Wonderful World of Jonathan Winters
1986
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Michael Feinstein: The Sinatra Legacy
2011
TV Movie executive producer
Great Performances
2003
TV Series executive producer - 1 episode
Michael Feinstein & Friends
1991
TV Movie executive producer
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Michael Feinstein: The Sinatra Legacy
2011
TV Movie
Michael Feinstein & Friends
1991
TV Movie written by
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Short Game
2013
Documentary special thanks
The Magic of Bing Crosby
1991
Video special thanks
Minnelli on Minnelli: Liza Remembers Vincente
1987
TV Movie documentary acknowledgment
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Library of Congress: Gershwin Prize for Popular Song - Billy Joel
2015
TV Movie
Himself
Michael Feinstein New Year's Eve at the Rainbow Room
2014
TV Movie
Himself
American Masters
1987-2014
TV Series documentary
Himself
Michael Feinstein at the Rainbow Room
2014
TV Movie
Himself - Host
The Outrageous Sophie Tucker
2014
Documentary
Himself
Inside Edition
2013
TV Series documentary
Himself
Homeward Bound Telethon
2013
TV Movie
Himself
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
2013
TV Series
Himself
Michael Feinstein's American Songbook
2010-2013
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Broadway or Bust
2012
TV Series documentary
Himself
Box 23, the Myra Janco Daniels Story
2012
Documentary
Story Teller
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2011
TV Movie
Himself
Seth MacFarlane: Swingin' in Concert
2011
TV Movie
Himself
Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon
2011
TV Series
Himself
Michael Feinstein: The Sinatra Legacy
2011
TV Movie
Himself
Better with You
2011
TV Series
Himself
The View
2006-2010
TV Series
Himself
The Legendary Bing Crosby
2010
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Today
2009
TV Series
Himself
Johnny Mercer: The Dream's on Me
2009
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Holiday in Bryant Park
2008
TV Movie
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2007
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Words and Music by Jerry Herman
2007
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Soundies: A Musical History Hosted by Michael Feinstein
2007
TV Movie documentary
Host
The 2007 Miss America Pageant
2007
TV Movie
Himself - Judge
Astaire and Rogers: Partners in Rhythm
2006
Video documentary
Himself
That's Kentertainment!
2006
TV Series
Himself
The Tony Danza Show
2005
TV Series
Himself
79th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2005
TV Special
Himself - Performer
Larry King Live
2005
TV Series
Himself
The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz
2005
Video documentary
Himself
Breakfast
2004
TV Series
Himself
AFI's 100 Years... 100 Songs: America's Greatest Music in the Movies
2004
TV Movie documentary
Himself
An Evening with Scott Hamilton & Friends
2004
TV Movie
Himself
Great Performances
1987-2003
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Host
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2002
TV Special
Himself
Walk on By: The Story of Popular Song
2001
TV Series documentary
Himself
Evening at Pops
2000
TV Series documentary
Himself
Melrose Place
1999
TV Series
Himself
Get Bruce
1999
Documentary
Himself
Caroline in the City
1997
TV Series
Himself
Coach
1996
TV Series
Himself
Cybill
1996
TV Series
Himself
Golden Anniversary
1995
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Michael Feinstein: Sing a Song of Hollywood
1995
TV Movie
Himself
In a New Light '94
1994
TV Special
Himself
Broadway at the Hollywood Bowl
1994
TV Special
Himself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
1992-1993
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Musical Guest
Vicki!
1992-1993
TV Series
Himself
Jeopardy!
1993
TV Series
Himself - Celebrity Contestant
Herman's Head
1993
TV Series
Himself
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
1992
TV Movie
Himself
The 39th Annual New Dramatists Benefit
1992
TV Movie
Himself - Presenter
Bob Hope's America: Red, White and Beautiful
1992
TV Special
Himself
Michael Feinstein & Friends
1991
TV Movie
Himself
The Magic of Bing Crosby
1991
Video
Himself
The Ice Capades 50th Anniversary Special
1990
TV Movie
Himself
Memory & Imagination: New Pathways to the Library of Congress
1990
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Night of 100 Stars III
1990
TV Movie
Himself
Michael Feinstein in Concert
1989
TV Movie
Himself
Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills
1989
Himself
The New Hollywood Squares
1988-1989
TV Series
Himself - Panelist
The Pat Sajak Show
1989
TV Series
Himself
It's a Living
1989
TV Series
Himself
Santa Barbara
1988
TV Series
Himself
The Royal Variety Performance 1988
1988
TV Special
Himself
Irving Berlin's 100th Birthday Celebration
1988
TV Special
Himself
All-Star Party for Joan Collins
1987
TV Special
Himself
A Musical Toast: The Stars Shine on Public Television
1987
TV Movie
Himself
Marty and Elayne: Stayin' Alive at the Dresden
Documentary filming
Himself - Singer
Robert Osborne's 20th Anniversary Tribute
2015
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Nominated Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2012
Daytime Emmy
Daytime Emmy Awards
Outstanding Original Song
The 85th Anniversary of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (2011)
Known for movies
Get Bruce (1999) as Composer
Michael Feinstein & Friends (1991) as Producer
Michael Feinstein: Sing a Song of Hollywood (1995) as Himself
Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills (1989) as Himself