Jack Osbourne Shares How He Learned About His Grandfather at 17 After His Mom’s Surprising Reveal

Jack Osbourne in Beverly Hills in September 2024.
Credit :

Charley Gallay/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Jack Osbourne has opened up about his mother, Sharon Osbourne’s, long-standing estrangement from her father, Don Arden.
• Jack recounted family history during the November 28 episode of the U.K. reality series, *I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!*
• “He pulled guns on people, everything,” Jack stated in reference to Arden.

Jack Osbourne has shared his insights regarding the estrangement between his mother, Sharon Osbourne, and her father, Don Arden, whom he did not meet until he was nearly an adult. This revelation came during a recent episode of *I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!*, where Jack, 40, discussed his grandfather, a music manager who passed away in 2007 at the age of 81.

During his appearance, Jack noted that Sharon, 73, had been estranged from Arden for decades following family disputes related to the management of Ozzy Osbourne’s music career. When fellow contestant Kelly Brook inquired about rumors of Arden’s violent tendencies, Jack replied, “He pulled guns on people, everything.” He further illustrated the severity of the situation by claiming that Arden had “sent hitmen” after his parents after Sharon took charge of Ozzy’s solo career in the late 1970s. “Mobsters would show up with guns at gigs,” he recalled.

Jack mentioned that Sharon had told him Arden was dead until he was nearly 18 years old, stemming from her complicated relationship with her father.

Jack Osbourne on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.

ITV

In a 2006 interview with *The Guardian*, Sharon recounted that she finally introduced Jack and her younger daughter, Kelly, to Arden when they encountered him in Los Angeles, which led to an argument. However, they did not have a traditional relationship; Arden and Sharon only reconciled in 2002 after he developed Alzheimer’s disease. Arden died in 2007.

Sharon’s elder daughter, Aimee, opted not to meet Arden due to his condition. According to Sharon, Jack had long been curious about his grandfather, having read extensively about him and the artists he managed, while Kelly was interested in family gossip regarding Arden’s past.

Jack elaborated during the recent episode that Sharon was once Arden’s “protégé,” revealing that he had taught her about the music business while engaging in questionable practices. “He did all sorts of screwed up things. Had my mum sign all these documents and everything was in her name so he would never get in trouble,” Jack claimed, adding that Arden had once “even firebombed other record companies.”

*I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!* airs nightly on ITV1, STV, ITVX, and STV Player.