• Name: Judy Garland
  • Date of Birth: June 10, 1922
  • Place of Birth: Grand Rapids, Minnesota, USA
Mini-bio: Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969) was an American film actress considered by many to be one of the greatest singing stars of Hollywood's Golden Era of musical film....( read more) Garland's singing voice had a natural vibrato, which she was able to maintain at extremely low volume. The effects which she was able to project enabled her to convey a wide range of emotion when she interpreted a song. The American Film Institute named Garland among the Greatest Female Stars of All Time, ranking at No. 8.




In 1935, at the age of 13, Garland was signed to a contract with MGM, allegedly without a screen test (in fact, she actually had done a test for the studio several months earlier). Garland's first notice by studio executives came after singing an arrangement of "You Made Me Love You" to Clark Gable at a birthday party held by the studio for the King of Hollywood. Her rendition proved so popular that MGM placed Garland and the song in their all-star extravaganza Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937).

After a string of minor roles, at the age of 16 she landed the role of "Dorothy" in the MGM film The Wizard of Oz (1939), and has been associated ever since with the song "Over the Rainbow." She received an honorary Academy Award for her performance in the film. After Oz, Garland became one of MGM's most bankable stars, proving particularly popular when teamed with her longtime friend Mickey Rooney in a string of "let's put on a show!" musicals. The duo first appeared together in the 1937 b-movie Thoroughbreds Don't Cry. They became a sensation and they teamed up again in Love Finds Andy Hardy, and then soon after in Babes in Arms. Garland eventually would star with Rooney in nine films.
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Judy Garland Judy Garland Mini-Bio: Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969) was an American film actress considered by many to be one of the greatest singing stars of Hollywood's Golden Era of musical film. Garland's singing voice had a natural vibrato, which she was able to maintain at extremely low volume. The effects which she was able to project enabled her to convey a wide range of emotion when she interpreted a song. The American Film Institute named Garland among the Greatest Female Stars of All Time, ranking at No. 8.

Early Life

Judy Garland was born on the 10th June 1922. By the age of 2 Judy - or 'Baby Gumm' as she was known - was already performing with her two older sisters in small theatres. In 1935, at the age of 12, Garland was signed to a contract with MGM, allegedly without a screen test (in fact, she actually had done a test for the studio several months earlier). The test was a small film with Deanna Durbin. The studio didn't know which talented girl they should sign, so they decided over Judy and Fox signed Deanna, who also became a huge star. The screen test was called "Every Sunday" where Judy enormous voice was already magnificent.

MGM

After signing her, MGM didn't really know what to do with her. What can we do with a little girl who sings like a grown woman? Garland's first notice by studio executives came after singing an arrangement of "You Made Me Love You" to Clark Gable at a birthday party held by the studio for the King of Hollywood. Her rendition proved so popular that MGM placed Garland and the song in their all-star extravaganza Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937). After a string of minor roles, at the age of 16 she landed the role of "Dorothy" (that was initially meant for Shirley Temple) in the MGM film The Wizard of Oz (1939), and has been associated ever since with the song "Over the Rainbow." She received an honorary Academy Award for her performance in the film. After Oz, Garland became one of MGM's most bankable stars, proving particularly popular when teamed with her longtime friend Mickey Rooney in a string of "let's put on a show!" musicals. The duo first appeared together in the 1937 b-movie Thoroughbreds Don't Cry. They became a sensation and they teamed up again in Love Finds Andy Hardy, and then soon after in Babes in Arms. Garland eventually would star with Rooney in nine films. In 1944, Garland starred in the musical, Meet Me In St Louis. Directed by Vincente Minnelli, Garland began to find herself falling for Minnelli as the filming progressed. Meet Me In St Louis remains one of Garland's most popular films. On March 12 1946 daughter Liza May Minnelli was born to Garland and Minnelli. Easter Parade was released in the year 1948, at the same time Garland had just finished 'The Pirate' co-starring Gene Kelly. 'The Pirate was received as an average success, however 'Easter Parade' was a box office hit. The musical saw Fred Astaire team up with Garland for the first and last time. Summer Stock was Garland's last film for MGM. The film had a average storyline and musical numbers and the director decided there be a big finale to give the film an edge. Garland came back to the set and performed the 'Get Happy' that was the edge the film needed, many of the reviews exclaimed Summer Stock was worth watching just to see the 'Get Happy' performance.

The Concert Years

After 15 years, Garland was released from the studio but gained renewed success through record-breaking concert appearances, including a critically acclaimed Carnegie Hall concert, a well-regarded but short-lived television series and a return to film acting beginning with A Star is Born (1954). Despite her professional triumphs, Garland battled personal problems throughout her life. Insecure about her appearance, her feelings were compounded by film executives who told her she was unattractive and overweight. Plied with drugs to control her weight and increase her productivity, Garland endured a decades-long struggle with addiction. Garland was plagued by financial instability, often owing hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes, and her first four of five marriages ended in divorce. She attempted suicide on a number of occasions.

Death

Judy Garland moved to a small cottage in Chelsea, London with new husband Mickey Deans. Accept a one-off trip to New York Garland kept out of the public eye for the next few months.
Early in the morning of Monday, June 22nd Judy Garland was found dead by her husband. Garland died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of forty-seven, leaving children Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft and Joey Luft.
In 1997, Garland was posthumously awarded The Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and several of her recordings have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

VITAL STATS

Judy Garland Information:
Birth Name: Frances Ethel Gumm
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Height: 4'11" (1.51m)
Nickname(s): Baby Gumm
Miss Show Business
Joots

Notable feature(s): Her powerful voice and her big sad eyes
Education: Attended elementary school in Los Angeles; Lawler's Professional School, 1929-31; (Mainly for dance/stage school purposes)
Bancroft Junior High School & University High School, Los Angeles. MGM 'School' (mainly for young actors/actresses)

Family: Frank Gumm (father) Ethel Gumm (mother)
Siblings: Mary Jane & Virginia Gumm

Heritage: Judy was half American, a quarter Irish and a quarter Scottish
Favourite Food: Chicken (any way but fried), chocolate cake & ice-cream
Music: Music from the show 'Oliver!' she liked singing the songs 'By Myself' and 'Through The Years' as they related more to her personal experiences.
Also, the songs 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow', 'It Only Happens When I Dance With You' & 'Born In A Trunk' were written for her.

Personal interests/hobbies: She loved to cook, write poetry, play table tennis, watch the television and listen to the radio
Spouse:
Mickey Deans: (15 March 1969 - 22 June 1969) (her death)
Mark Herron: (14 November 1965 - January 1969)
(Divorced)
Sidney Luft: (8 June 1952 - 19 May 1965)
(Divorced) 2 children
Vincente Minnelli: (15 June 1945 - 29 March 1951)
(Divorced) 1 child
David Rose: (28 July 1941 - 8 June 1944)
(Divorced)

Other:
Her favourite colour was red
Her Favourite dinner was steak & kidney pie
The day Judy died there was a tornado in Kansas
Liked the music from the show 'Oliver!'
She loved to cook; And could make a brilliant Shepard's pie
Judy coached Marilyn Monroe for her singing in 'Some Like It Hot'.
Signed movie contract with MGM at age 12 in 1935
Judy adored yellow roses and even had a variety of rose named after her
She was paired with Mickey Rooney in seven films
Mother of Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft & Joey Luft




Comments


  • bballgirl1334
    I live like an hour and 30 mins from were she was born.
    Grand Rapids Minnesota... thats were she was born. James Arness is from Minnesota to... off subject.
    posted 426 days ago
  • AJReuRox
    the 39th anneversary of Judy's death! It is so sad! Judy I miss you!!!
    posted 505 days ago
  • hanj0307
    I love you Judy!!!
    I hope that you are over the rainbow.
    I think she was one of the best actresses we have ever had. It makes me genuinely upset when I see the wizard of oz and she is so youthful and cute and bubbly then think that she was taken away from us 30 years later.
    If there is one person I would wanna meet. it would totally have to be Judy Garland in her young Happy days.
    God bless you Judy
    posted 578 days ago
  • lippyinc
    She didn't commit suicide. It was an accidental overdose. She was VERY talented though.
    posted 609 days ago
  • butterfli302641
    SHE COMMITTD SUICIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SHE WAS SSSSOOOOOOOO GGGOOOODDD!!!!
    posted 638 days ago
  • heighleegurl17
    awww judy you're sooo cute! why did you have to commit suicide?
    posted 761 days ago
  • Twisted67
    Judy Garland was such an amazing performer - I've loved the wizard of oz for my whole life!! RIP, Judy; you deserve it!!
    posted 769 days ago
  • Deedleismyname
    Judy Garland rocks! I luv her movies! Espesialy The wizard of Oz!
    posted 832 days ago
  • LadyVanishment
    her talent still lives on its is very true in my family for many generations we have enjoyed her movies such as wizard of oz, and easter parade , captured the hearts, of us all sadly she is missed.
    posted 841 days ago
  • LiveandLaugh54
    she was an awesome actress.. one of the favorites <3
    posted 852 days ago
Judy Garland at LocateTV.com

Judy Garland Trivia


  • Which actress followed the yellow brick road in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz?  Answer »
  • True or False: The dog that played Toto in The Wizard of Oz made more money than Judy Garland did?  Answer »
  • In the Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland had to wear a painful corset around her torso so that she would appear younger and flat-chested.   Answer »
  • Which actress was born Frances Ethel Gumm  Answer »

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