Judy Garland left an indelible mark on the film industry.
The actress and singer was born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She began her stage career when she was just a kid, performing with her sisters as part of the Vaudeville act The Gumm Sisters. By the age of 13, she had signed a film contract with MGM studios. Her early films included “Pigskin Parade” (1936) and “Love Finds Andy Hardy” (1938), alongside frequent co-star Mickey Rooney.
In 1939, Garland appeared as Dorothy Gale in “The Wizard of Oz.” The role, arguably her most well-known, cemented her place in the Hollywood canon. Dorothy’s costume, the blue-and-white gingham apron dress and ruby slippers, also became instantly iconic and continue to influence fashion trends to this day.
Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, with Margaret Hamilton, in "The Wizard of Oz." (Photo: Silver Screen Collection via Getty Images)
Garland, whose daughter is performer Liza Minnelli, faced pressure from MGM about her looks and weight in her career. As a result, she was given amphetamines, on which she eventually became reliant. The star, who is widely beloved by the gay community, would go on to struggle with drugs throughout her career up until her untimely death from an accidental overdose in 1969.
In honor of what would have been the star’s 97th birthday, we’re taking a look back at her life and career in photos.
1935
A portrait of the actress sometime in 1935, when she was first signed to MGM.
1935
Garland poses for a portrait circa 1935.
1936
The actress in a scene from the 1936 film "Pigskin Parade."
Circa 1936
Garland at age 14 or 15.
1937
Garland in a Western costume for an MGM still.
1938
Garland celebrates her 16th birthday at the Santa Monica beach home of Louis B. Mayer, with Jackie Cooper, left, and Mickey Rooney.
1939
Rooney kisses Garland as they arrive at the "Babes in Arms" movie premiere in 1939.
1939
Garland in "Babes in Arms."
Late 1930s
Garland stands for a portrait at the Roney Plaza Cabana Sun Club in Miami around the time her film "Everybody Sing" premiered.
1939
Garland sits on a staircase in a photo from 1939.
1939
Garland snaps a photo in this image from 1939.
1939
Garland was promoted as an all-American girl by MGM.
1939
Garland in a promotional image for the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz."
1940
A studio portrait of Garland at about age 18.
1940
The actress in a tinted photo from around 1940.
1940
Garland with two pet dogs, circa 1940.
1940
Garland wears a dress she wore in the film "Babes in Arms," circa 1940.
1940
Garland in a promotional still from the 1940 film "Strike Up the Band."
1940
Garland in tap shoes between takes on the set of the film "Ziegfeld Girl."
1941
The actress in California sometime in 1941.
1942
The American actor and dancer Gene Kelly dances with Garland in the 1942 film "For Me and My Gal."
Undated
A portrait of Garland in an undated photograph.
1945
The actress with a badminton racket, circa 1945.
1945
Garland circa 1945.
1945
Garland in a studio portrait, circa 1945.
1948
Garland in a still from the 1948 film "The Pirate," directed by Vincente Minnelli. Garland and Minnelli married in 1945.
1954
The actor and singer in a scene from 1954's "A Star Is Born."
1950
Garland in a checkered shirt, 1950.
1950
Garland wears a white lace blouse with and gold drop earrings in a studio portrait, circa 1950.
1954
Garland in one of several publicity shots for "A Star Is Born."
CORRECTION: In an earlier version of this post, a photo caption from the Getty archive misidentified the film “The Pirate” as “Meet Me In St. Louis.”
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