Judy Garland

The beautiful Judy Garland was a legend that we all remember as Dorothy from the famous movie The Wizard of Oz. But before she became Dorothy and got lost in the land of Oz, she was born Francis Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Judy Garland's parents were vaudeville professionals, so she started show business at a very young age. Judy was 2 years old. Her first public performance was singing "Jingle Bells." Then Judy Garland started singing with her two older sisters Susie and Jimmie. They formed a group together called "Gumm Sisters." Then in 1926, Judy Garland and her family moved to California where the Gumm Sisters studied singing and dancing. Their mother as being both the sister's manager and agent made them gigs after gigs. The Gumm Sisters had appeared in some films here and there. The sisters later changed their name to "The Garland Sisters." They changed their name after performing with comedian George Jessel in 1934. Also that is when little Francis changed her name to Judy Garland. The following year was when she would be a solo act and sign a movie contract with MGM when she was 13. Judy Garland debuted one special song called "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart." Shortly after debuting the song, her father passed away. But despite what happened, young Judy Garland started getting movie roles after movie roles. She starred along side her best friend Mickey Rooney in a few movies together. Love Finds Andy Hardy really helped the pair with stardom. The stress of working non-stop really got to Judy Garland. The studio gave her some medications to help with her weight and image. Then the time came in Judy Garland's life. In 1939, she starred in the movie that really made her a BIG star. The Wizard of Oz won Judy Garland an Academy Award. She went to star in more musicals like Strike Up the Band and Babes of Broadway with Mickey Rooney. And For Me and My Gal with Gene Kelly. Even though she was a big star, she did have a family. Judy Garland did get married more than twice. And she had three wonderful children named Liza Minnelli (American actress) and Lorna and Joey Luft. Then Judy Garland had a breakdown from all the working days and nights. In 1950 Judy Garland was dropped from MGM, because of all the problems she was having in her life. Then Judy Garland decided to get back to work and do more movies. A Star Is Born got her nominated for an Academy Award. As the 1960s approached, Judy Garland worked more on her singing than her acting. She won a Grammy and did her very own TV show with her and her two daughters. When her TV show ended, she did one last attempt to fame for acting. She did a Broadway show called At Home at a Palace. When she fell into some financial and personal trouble, she went to a London nightclub and perform. But she was in such bad shape. On June 22, 1969, the beautiful and talented Judy Garland passed away of an accidental overdose while she was in London. Judy Garland was a phenomenal singer and actress. Her daughters Liza and Lorna live their mother's legacy on and on. There have been books and movies made about Judy Garland and her life. The biopic Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir really told the story about her life to fame and everything. One of the best biopics I seen. Judy Garland will always be Dorothy. She is finally able to fly and be over the rainbow.