Judy Garland’s early life

Judy Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She was the third child of Ethel Marion (née Milne) and Francis Avent “Frank” Gumm. Her parents were vaudevillians who settled in Grand Rapids to run a movie theater that featured vaudeville acts.

Garland’s father played the piano and banjo, while her mother sang and danced. Garland began performing at an early age, appearing on stage with her sisters Mary Jane “Suzy” and Dorothy Virginia “Jimmie” in a vaudeville act called “The Gumm Sisters.”

The act eventually dissolved after Suzy and Jimmie married, but Judy continued to perform as a solo act. In 1935, she was signed to a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and made her film debut in the short film Every Sunday (1936).

She subsequently appeared in a number of films for MGM, including The Wizard of Oz (1939), in which she played the iconic role of Dorothy Gale. Garland’s career continued to flourish throughout the 1940s and 1950s, despite personal struggles that included several marriages and years of drug abuse.

Her rise to fame in “The Wizard of Oz”

When “The Wizard of Oz” was released in 1939, it quickly became a classic. Part of the movie’s appeal is its timeless story, but Judy Garland’s performance as Dorothy Gale is also essential to the film’s success.

Garland was only seventeen when she was cast in the role, but she brought an incredible amount of charisma and energy to the part. Her performance helped to make “The Wizard of Oz” one of the most popular films of all time.

In addition to her work in “The Wizard of Oz,” Garland also starred in a number of other successful films, including “Meeting Mr. Lincoln” and “Easter Parade.” Though she passed away at the age of forty-seven, Judy Garland’s filmography remains an enduring testament to her talent.

Comeback and later years

After a series of personal and professional setbacks, Judy Garland made a triumphant return to the stage with a sold-out concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall in 1961.

The performance was hailed as a triumph, and Garland quickly followed it up with a string of successful engagements in Las Vegas and London. She also found success on the small screen, headlining her own CBS variety show.

Sadly, Garland’s professional successes were overshadowed by her worsening struggles with addiction and mental illness. She died of an accidental overdose in 1969, at the age of 47. Despite her tragic end, Judy Garland’s legacy as one of Hollywood’s most talented and beloved performers endures.

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else,” is one of her most famous quotes.

This quote speaks to the importance of authenticity and being true to yourself. It’s a message that is just as relevant today as it was when Garland first said it.

“The sun is a daily miracle,” is another Judy Garland quote that speaks to the power of positivity. No matter what might be going on in our lives, we can always find something to appreciate.

This quote is a reminder that even the simplest things can bring us joy. Judy Garland’s quotes remind us that it’s important to stay true to ourselves and to find the good in every day.

5 facts about the life of Judy Garland:

1. Garland’s birth name was Frances Ethel Gumm.

2. Her parents owned a movie theater, and she first performed on stage at the age of three.

3. Garland was signed to a contract with MGM at the age of thirteen and made her film debut in the musical short Every Sunday (1936).

4. Garland was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in The Wizard of Oz (1939), but lost to Greer Garson.

5. Garland was married five times and had three children, including daughter Liza Minnelli.

“Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.”

– Judy Garland