Early Life and Education of Judy Garland: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Judy Garland. A timeline of key moments.

Judy Garland was a celebrated American actress, singer, and vaudevillian, renowned for her powerful voice and emotional performances. She gained international stardom as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (1939) and maintained a successful career spanning film, stage, and music. Garland released eight studio albums and had numerous recordings inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. She was the youngest and first female recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award. Posthumously, she received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was recognized as one of the greatest female screen legends by the American Film Institute.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1900: The Wizard of Oz Book

In 1938, Judy Garland was cast as Dorothy Gale in "The Wizard of Oz", a film based on the 1900 children's book by L. Frank Baum.

June 10, 1922: Judy Garland's Birth

On June 10, 1922, Judy Garland, born Frances Ethel Gumm, was born. She became an American actress, singer, and vaudevillian.

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June 1926: Relocation to Lancaster, California

In June 1926, the Gumm family relocated to Lancaster, California, following rumors about her father.

1928: Enrolled in dance school

In 1928, The Gumm Sisters enrolled in a dance school run by Ethel Meglin, proprietor of the Meglin Kiddies dance troupe.

1934: Name change to the Garland Sisters

By late 1934, the Gumm Sisters had changed their name to the Garland Sisters.

1934: Possible origin of the name Garland

Several stories exist about the origin of the name Garland. One story attributes it to George Jessel after Carole Lombard's character Lily Garland in the film "Twentieth Century" (1934).

August 1935: The Garland Sisters broke up

In August 1935, The Garland Sisters broke up, when Mary Jane "Suzanne" Garland flew to Reno, Nevada and married musician Lee Kahn.

November 16, 1935: Father Hospitalized

On November 16, 1935, 13-year-old Judy Garland learned that her father had been hospitalized with meningitis.

1937: Beginning of Judy Garland's "innocent years"

In 1937, Joan E. Dowlin marked the beginning of Judy Garland's "innocent years" in her music career, which lasted until 1945. During this time, Garland's voice was vibrant and her musical expression exuberant.

1938: Casting as Dorothy Gale

In 1938, Judy Garland, at sixteen, was cast as Dorothy Gale in "The Wizard of Oz".

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July 27, 1941: Wedding to David Rose

On July 27, 1941, Judy Garland and David Rose were wed when Judy Garland was only 19 years old.

January 1943: Trial Separation from David Rose

In January 1943, Judy Garland and David Rose agreed to undergo a trial separation.

1943: Glamor Treatment in Presenting Lily Mars

In 1943, Judy Garland received a "glamor treatment" in "Presenting Lily Mars," wearing grown-up gowns and styling her hair. Also in 1943, she had a second abortion after becoming pregnant during an affair with actor Tyrone Power.

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April 1944: Escorted Benjamin O. Davis Sr. to reception

In April 1944, Judy Garland escorted Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis Sr. to a reception honoring the general at the home of Ira Gershwin. Davis was the first black general and highest-ranking black officer in the U.S. military.

1944: Divorce from David Rose

In 1944, Judy Garland and David Rose divorced.

June 15, 1945: Marriage to Vincente Minnelli

On June 15, 1945, Judy Garland married Vincente Minnelli after developing a relationship during the filming of "Meet Me in St. Louis."

1945: End of Judy Garland's "innocent years"

In 1945, Joan E. Dowlin marked the end of Judy Garland's "innocent years" in her music career, which began in 1937. During this time, Garland's voice was vibrant and her musical expression exuberant.

March 12, 1946: Birth of Daughter Liza Minnelli

On March 12, 1946, Judy Garland gave birth to her daughter Liza Minnelli with Vincente Minnelli.

July 1947: Suicide Attempt and Treatment

In July 1947, during the filming of "The Pirate", Judy Garland suffered a nervous breakdown and attempted suicide by cutting her wrist. She spent two weeks in treatment at the Austen Riggs Center.

September 1947: Joined Committee for the First Amendment

In September 1947, Judy Garland joined the Committee for the First Amendment, a group of Hollywood celebrities supporting the Hollywood Ten during the HUAC hearings.

October 26, 1947: Hollywood Fights Back radio broadcast

On October 26, 1947, Judy Garland participated in the all-star radio broadcast "Hollywood Fights Back", urging listeners to speak up against the HUAC.

June 8, 1952: Marriage to Sidney Luft

On June 8, 1952, Judy Garland married Sidney Luft, her tour manager and producer, in Hollister, California.

November 21, 1952: Birth of Daughter Lorna Luft

On November 21, 1952, Judy Garland gave birth to her daughter Lorna Luft with Sidney Luft.

March 29, 1955: Birth of Son Joey Luft

On March 29, 1955, Judy Garland gave birth to her son Joey Luft.

1956: Las Vegas Performances

In 1956, Judy Garland performed for four weeks at the New Frontier Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip, earning US$55,000 per week, making her the highest-paid entertainer in Las Vegas at the time. Her successful run was extended an extra week, despite a bout of laryngitis.

November 1959: Hospitalized with Hepatitis

In November 1959, Judy Garland was hospitalized after being diagnosed with acute hepatitis.

January 1960: Release from Hospital

In January 1960, Judy Garland was released from the hospital after being treated for acute hepatitis. Doctors told her that she had five years or less to live and that she would likely never sing again, leading to a period of relief followed by recovery and a return to the stage.

1960: Contract with Random House

In 1960, Judy Garland signed a contract with Random House to write her autobiography, titled "The Judy Garland Story", in collaboration with Fred F. Finklehoffe. She received a US$35,000 advance, but the autobiography was never completed.

Judy Garland At the Grove

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1961: Carnegie Hall Performance

By the time of her performance at Carnegie Hall in 1961, Julia Molony of the Irish Independent observed that Judy Garland's voice, though still rich with emotion, had begun to "creak with the weight of years of disappointment and hard-living".

1961: Settlement with CBS and new specials

In 1961, Judy Garland and CBS settled their contract disputes, leading to a new round of specials.

1961: Judy Garland on audience reception

In 1961, Judy Garland explained, "A really great reception makes me feel like I have a great big warm heating pad all over me ... I truly have a great love for an audience and I used to want to prove it to them by giving them blood. But I have a funny new thing now, a real determination to make people enjoy the show."

1961: Judy Garland's will

In early 1961, Judy Garland signed and sealed her last will, which included generous bequests. However, due to her estate's debt, these bequests could not be fulfilled.

August 28, 1963: Participation in March on Washington

On August 28, 1963, Judy Garland participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, advocating for the civil and economic rights of African Americans.

September 16, 1963: Press Conference on 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing

On September 16, 1963, Judy Garland, along with her daughter Liza Minnelli and others, held a press conference to protest the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

1963: Guest on Garland's Television Show

In 1963, George Jessel was a guest on Judy Garland's television show, where he shared conflicting stories about the origin of the name Garland.

1963: Affair with Glenn Ford

In 1963, Judy Garland had a six-month affair with actor Glenn Ford while doing her television show. The relationship ended when Ford realized Garland wanted to marry him.

1963: Divorce from Sidney Luft

In 1963, Judy Garland sued Sidney Luft for divorce, citing mental cruelty and alleging physical abuse.

1964: Garland identifies "Over the Rainbow" as her favorite song

In 1964, while on tour, Judy Garland identified "Over the Rainbow" as her favorite of all the songs she had ever recorded, to which Trussel observed that "Her career would remain inextricably linked".

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May 19, 1965: Divorce from Luft Finalized

On May 19, 1965, Judy Garland's divorce from Sidney Luft became final.

November 14, 1965: Marriage to Mark Herron

On November 14, 1965, Judy Garland legally married Mark Herron, after an initial ceremony of questionable legality.

1965: Judy Garland's response to large gay following

In 1965, when asked about having a large gay following, Judy Garland replied, "I could care less. I sing to people!"

1966: Financial Difficulties and New Agents

By the fall of 1966, Judy Garland had parted ways with agents Freddie Fields and David Begelman, whose mismanagement and embezzlement of her earnings resulted in significant debts to the IRS and personal creditors.

July 1967: Final U.S. Appearances at Palace Theatre

In July 1967, Judy Garland made one of her last U.S. appearances at New York's Palace Theatre, performing with her children Lorna and Joey Luft. She earned a significant sum from her share of the profits, but federal tax agents seized most of her earnings on closing night.

March 1969: Final Concert Appearance and Marriage to Mickey Deans

In March 1969, Judy Garland made her last concert appearance in Copenhagen. Also in March 1969, after her divorce from Mark Herron, she married Mickey Deans in London.

June 26, 1969: Remains taken to New York

On June 26, 1969, John Deans traveled with Judy Garland's remains to New York City. An estimated 20,000 people lined up at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel in Manhattan to pay their respects.

June 27, 1969: Judy Garland's Funeral

On June 27, 1969, James Mason gave a eulogy at Judy Garland's funeral, which was an Episcopal service. The public and press were barred from the service, and she was interred at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York.

1969: New York Times obit

In 1969, The New York Times obituarist noted that Judy Garland brought her well-publicized emotional breakdowns, career collapses, and comebacks on stage during later performances.

1978: Auction of personal items

In 1978, Sidney Luft, Judy Garland's ex-husband, with the support of their children Lorna and Joey, auctioned off almost 500 of Garland's personal items. The auction raised US$250,000 for her heirs.

January 2017: Re-interment at Hollywood Forever Cemetery

In January 2017, Judy Garland's remains were disinterred from Ferncliff Cemetery and re-interred at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles, at the request of her children.