Trivia

Heard an amazing recording of Verdi's Requiem when he was 14, and for ten years, he listened to opera and only opera.

Studied classical and modern piano at McGill University.

His favorite songs are "Mystery Train" by Elvis Presley, "Talk To Me Of Mendocino" by 'Kate Mcgarrigle' & 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 saved from drowning in a hotel pool by Betty Buckley.

His daughter, Viva Katherine Wainwright Cohen (b. 2 February 2011), was mothered by Lorca Cohen, the daughter of singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen.

Wainwright is a big fan of opera and counts the Metropolitan Opera House as one of his favorite places in New York.

Considers Judy Garland his top gay icon, according to an interview with "The Observer" (21 December 2006).

Performed the song "Complainte de la Butte" for the film Moulin Rouge! (2001), the only song in French featured in the Paris-set movie.

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.

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.'.

Wainwright's album "Out of the Game" (2012), produced by Mark Ronson, features Helena Bonham Carter in the title track video.

His song "Natasha" is written about Natasha Lyonne.

His father is an American of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His mother is of French-Canadian decent.

Grew up in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

His song "Beauty Mark" is about his mother, Kate McGarrigle.

His song "Matinee Idol" is about River Phoenix.

His song "Memphis Sky Line" (from his album Want Two) is dedicated to Jeff Buckley.

Once lived in New York's famous Chelsea Hotel.

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.

The music video for a song from his debut album was filmed in Gwen Stefani's home.

Is friends with actor Alan Cumming.

Is writing an opera, which will be called "Prima Donna".

Writing an opera for the Metropolitan Opera House in New York. (2007)

His song 'Gay Messiah' originally started out as a political song to sing at parties.

Won a Juno Award for "Best Alternative Album" in 1999 and 2002.

His song "Dinner At Eight" is about an argument he and his father Loudon Wainwright III had once.

Kate Winslet is a fan of his song 'Poses' -- mentioned in one of her ads for AmEx.

His character Jeremy in Heights (2005) was based on himself.

Longtime companion has been Jörn Weisbrodt, a German concert manager for the Berlin State Opera, since 2005.

Is good friends with Melissa Auf der Maur, whose father, Nick Auf der Maur, was a political activist in Montreal. Melissa appeared in Rufus's video, "April Fools".

Performed songs featured in the soundtracks for The Myth of Fingerprints (1997) and Big Daddy (1999).

Named "Best New Artist" by "Rolling Stone" magazine in 1999.

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.

Touring the world promoting his new album 'Release the Stars'. (2007)

His parents considered naming him Oscar.

Mixing next record called 'Release the Stars' (January 2006)

Recording his new record. (August 2006)