The Ups & Downs Of Judy Garland's Life

As the star of The Wizard Of Oz and the singer of the beloved song, "Over The Rainbow", Judy Garland is an acclaimed actress that even younger generations are familiar with. Despite leaving us too soon, she left a memorable print on the world that will continue to influence future actors and singers. Today, let's dive into the history of this remarkable woman, learning more about her troublesome past that was never as perfect as it sounded. 

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1. An Unforgettable Name In Hollywood

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say you've been living under a rock if you don't know who Judy Garland is. This incredible actress starred in some of your favorite films, sang some of the most iconic songs, and forever marked herself in Hollywood history. But while you hear about the glitz and glam of her life of fame, do you really know what happened beneath the surface? Troubled by personal struggles and family complications, Garland's life was anything but wonderful. 

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2. Talented From A Young Age

While some superstars find their calling later on in life, Garland's path was already set out for her at a young age. Born to two vaudevillians, Francis Avent and Ethel Marian Gumm, life on the stage was inevitable. At just two years old, Garland, who was then called Frances Ethel Gumm, started performing regularly alongside her two older sisters. Though her first taste of being a performer was positive, it wouldn't last. 

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3. The Amazing Trio

Seeing the potential for success, the Gumm family decided to make things official. The parents took the three sisters and turned them into a vaudeville group known as The Gumm Sisters. As they grew in popularity, the family moved from their home in Grand Rapids, Minnesota to California in 1926. It's here that they first adopted their stage names and became the Garland Sisters. Out of the three, Judy shined the brightest.

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4. The Father's Dark Secret

But while Judy continued to sparkle in front of the spotlight, it was the complete opposite behind the scenes. Though both parents were dedicated in helping the girls grow their career, Francis hid a dark secret that shook her home life. According to sources, he was bisexual and had many affairs with other men during his marriage. One rumor was supposedly so bad, it's believed to have caused their relocation.

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5. Mother Doesn't Know Best

Sadly, Ethel was causing just as much, if not more, trouble for the family. From taking the girls to inappropriate clubs to perform, to ignoring her daughters' well-being and providing them with pills for energy and sleep, there didn't seem to be a reliable adult the kids could lean on. It makes sense why in later years, Garland would refer to her mother as "the real Wicked Witch of the West."  

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6. The First Breakthrough

Yet despite these family struggles, Garland still found her way to fame. Shining so brilliantly, in 1935, she captured the attention of Burton Lane, a songwriter sent by Louis B. Mayer who was the head of MGM studio. With such undeniable star factor, she was instantly signed. So at the mere age of 13, Garland would begin her tumultuous journey into Hollywood where she both cemented herself in history and suffered from continuous problems.

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7. The Ugly Duckling

Right off the bat, Garland was faced with the ugly truth of Hollywood's obsession with beauty. Considered ugly by MGM, they would continue to comment on her unattractive appearance throughout her career. They were so harsh, Mayer even nicknamed her his "little hunchback." As it would for any woman, these insults deeply affected Garland's confidence forever. 

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8. A Forced Transformation

And if those hurtful words weren't enough, the studio took it one step further by attempting to change her overall physical appearance. Forced to dress in hideous, frilly gowns meant to fit her plain "girl-next-door" persona, at just 13, Garland was being told she wasn't good enough in the meanest way possible. They even had her wear removable teeth caps for her crooked teeth and reshaped her nose using rubber discs. 

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9. A Sad Beginning To Her New Life

Just as she started learning how to swim in her new Hollywood life, she was soon informed of some heartbreaking news. On November 16, 1935, Garland's father was sent to the hospital with meningitis and passed away the very next morning. Now having to face what lie ahead without a father, it's said that this event completely shattered her. 

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10. The Winning Combo

Though the climb to the top is always a slow one, Garland started rising to fame when MGM cracked the code and found the winning duo: Garland and Mickey Rooney. Starring initially in several "backyard musicals" together, it turned into film appearances that skyrocketed them both into popularity. The two simply had chemistry that couldn't be ignored.

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11. Prescriptions For Success

But as her schedule became busier with fame continuously knocking at her door, her body just couldn't keep up. Garland would go on to say that she would be given amphetamines to help her stay awake during hectic schedules. It didn't stop there though; she was also handed barbiturates to help with sleep, something Garland claims was the start of her lifelong struggle with addiction. 

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12. Meeting The Wizard

In 1938, Garland would take on her greatest role: Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz. She didn't know it yet, but she would be forever remembered thanks to the film and the song, "Over The Rainbow." And while we're all familiar with the impact this movie had on the world, what you likely never heard was the horrors going on behind the camera. Let's just say there was no yellow brick road for Garland.

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13. Forced To Diet

Hollywood decided to bare its ugly head once more. Turns out, the iconic blue gingham dress worn in the film was specifically chosen for its blurring, thinning effect on Garland's body. She was put on a strict, unhealthy diet which forced her to eat only chicken soup and black coffee to keep her skinny. And though some historians will deny it, it's believed she was also forced to use cigarettes to curb her appetite. 

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14. A Moment Of Happiness

Despite her growing struggle with addiction and difficulties under the limelight, there were brief moments of happiness. The Wizard of Oz turned out to be incredibly successful, helping her win an Academy Juvenile Award in 1939 for her performance. This was a tremendous feat as she is only one of twelve to ever be awarded one. Receiving such recognition quickly made Garland the most famous actress in America at the time. 

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15. Her First Husband Of Many

And as she finally transitioned into adulthood, she was quickly swept off her feet. Soon after she started dating musician David Rose, he proposed on her 18th birthday. Their relationship was deeply frowned upon though, as he was still married at the time. After waiting for his divorce to be finalized, the two tied the knot just a year later when she was 19 years old. Their marriage would be short-lived though, with MGM, her mother, and even Rose himself forcing her to give up her pregnancy which led to their separation in 1944. This would only be the beginning.

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16. Five Failed Marriages

Throughout her tragic life, Garland would be married a total of five times. Aside from Rose, she also wed Vincente Minnelli, Sid Luft, Mark Herron, and her final husband, Mickey Deans. From dealing with scandalous affairs to abuse, those issues combined with her own substance addiction was simply a recipe for disaster. Her troubled love life truly show you how much she struggled in her personal life. 

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17. More Than Just A Nervous Breakdown

It was in 1947 when Garland first experienced her biggest meltdown. Everything was starting to boil over. While filming The Pirate, she had a nervous breakdown that transitioned into her trying to take her own life. She would spend two weeks in a psychiatric hospital getting help, but things would go downhill from there. From developing an alcohol problem to suffering from depression and receiving studio suspensions, Garland had no shortage of problems. On September 1950, she left MGM studios 15 years after her start.

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18. Bouncing Back

Her career wouldn't end here though. After making several appearances on Bing Crosby's radio show, she catapulted back into the spotlight. From filming the beloved A Star Is Born to performing in Las Vegas and having her own show titled The Judy Garland Show, it was clear she was fighting back against all odds. 

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19. Her Final Days

It all came to an end on June 22, 1969 when Garland passed away at the age of 47. She was found unconscious in the bathoom by her husband, Mickey Deans, and was said to have overdosed on barbiturates, something she struggled with all her life. After initial autopsies were performed, her death was confirmed as accidental. It was simply the tragic outcome of all the terrible things pushed on her since she was young.

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20. Where'd The Riches Go?

And though she starred in numerous acclaimed films and made a huge name for herself in Hollywood, it was discovered that Garland was in a terrible financial state at the time of her death. At the end of her life, she was millions of dollars in debt, forced to perform for money, and tragically addicted to drugs and alcohol. So much for the glamor of Hollywood.

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