40 Rare Photos of Judy Garland Through the Years, Including Her Early Career

Actress and singer Judy Garland was a star almost from birth. Though she’s often remembered for her iconic renditions of songs such as “Over the Rainbow,” she also was an extraordinary performer whom audiences adored. Born in 1922 as Frances Gumm, Judy was the daughter of former vaudevillians Frank and Ethel Gumm, who ran a theater in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She made her stage debut at age 2 ½, singing “Jingle Bells” and performing alongside her two older sisters.

At age 13, Judy was signed by Hollywood’s largest movie studio, Metro-Goldwyn Mayer (MGM). Her golden voice, youthful innocence and spirited personality made her an international sensation almost immediately. Despite the pressures of fame and an unsettled personal life, Judy made comeback after comeback through the years and endeared herself to fans in her feature films, stage appearances, and concerts around the world. A new biopic, Judy, with Renee Zellweger in the title role, is being released this fall.

Here’s a look at her many decades in the spotlight (and if you're interested in learning about other celebs through the years, check out our coverage of Lucille Ball and Audrey Hepburn.

Frances and her big sisters, Dorothy and Mary Jane, performed in her father's theater in Grand Rapids, Minnesota as the Gumm Sisters Kiddie Act. At the time, Judy went by the name of "Baby Gumm."

After the family moved to California in 1926, Frances and her sisters appeared in stage and radio productions up and down the West Coast. Here, she's wearing a costume for her first Kiddie Revue in Los Angeles.

The girls continued to perform throughout the '20s and early '30s, booked and managed by their mother. They also appeared in several short films during this period. Vibrant little Frances soon became the highlight of the act.

The Gumm Sisters changed their name to Garland when appearing at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1934. By 1935, Frances had shed her nickname "Baby" and chose the more adult-sounding, Judy.

After years of hard work (and a lot of pushing from her mother), Judy became a solo act, signing with MGM at just 13 years old.

Hollywood began releasing a series of promotional photos, like this one of Judy doing a handstand, to push their latest starlet.

Hollywood continued to promote Judy, showing her here with the '30s child star, Jackie Cooper, and hinting at a young romance.

Judy appeared in her first breakout role in Pigskin Parade, while on loan to Twentieth Century Fox.

Judy was cast in MGM's Broadway Melody of 1938. Her serenade to a scrapbook of Clark Gable pictures, while singing "Dear Mr. Gable" as an introduction to "You Made Me Love You," earned her a Decca recording contract. It became one of her trademark songs.

Judy was accompanied by fellow child star, Mickey Rooney, to a movie premiere.

Playing the girl-next-door type, Judy co-starred with Mickey Rooney in the hit, Love Finds Andy Hardy. They became a popular screen partnership, starring in many other movies together.

This promotional photo shows Judy learning to make pancakes. According to the original caption, she was whipping these up before she went to the studio for the day.

Judy is kissed by fellow teen actors Jackie Cooper and Mickey Rooney at a birthday party hosted at studio head Louis B. Mayer's house.

Here, Judy and Mickey do the jitterbug, a popular dance of the time.

This promotional shot shows Judy polishing her Packard Six during a break from filming The Wizard of Oz, the movie that would catapult her to fame and win her worldwide acclaim.

Judy arrived at Grand Central Station to kick off her vacation after completing a film on the West Coast.

Judy received the honor of leaving her hand and footprints in the cement outside the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. Mickey Rooney accompanied her.

Judy received an Oscar, presented by Mickey Rooney, for outstanding juvenile performer in The Wizard of Oz.

This promotional shot of Judy showed her relaxing at home with her dogs, like any other teenager.

Judy received a gift of a record player from studio head Louis B. Mayer at a luncheon celebrating her 18th birthday.

Judy posed here with her mom, sister, and niece in this casual family portrait.

Judy sits with her first husband, bandleader David Rose. She became a bride for the first time at 19 years old. The marriage would last until 1944 when she divorced Rose.

Judy continued her film career at MGM. Here, she, Mickey Rooney, and Clark Gable are seen greeting Shirley Temple, newly signed by MGM.

Judy starred in For Me and My Gal, which was the first film in which her name appeared above the title of the picture, indicating her unique star status. The film was dancer Gene Kelly's screen debut.

As World War II waged on, Judy performed at the Philadelphia Naval Yard for a war bond drive.

Judy and Frank appeared on the CBS radio program, "The Danny Kaye Show."

Judy married director Vincente Minelli, who directed her the previous year in Meet Me in St. Louis, which became MGM's most successful release since Gone with the Wind.

Judy welcomed baby Liza to the world.

When Gene Kelly broke his ankle, the legendary Fred Astaire became Judy's leading man in Easter Parade, one of Judy's biggest box office triumphs.

Judy starred alongside Van Johnson. In the Good Old Summertime was one of the top-grossing films of the year.

In 1950, MGM dissolved Judy's longstanding contract due to her unpredictable behavior. For years the studio system had encouraged many of its stars, including Judy, to use "pep pills" or stimulants, and sleeping pills to get sufficient rest to cope with the relentless pace of filming. Unfortunately, her marriage to Minelli also dissolved this year. The next year, she began to rebuild her career with help from producer Sid Luft, starring in shows in London and Broadway and drawing huge crowds.

Judy married producer Sid Luft. The couple had a daughter, Lorna, in 1952, and a son, Joey, in 1955.

Judy returned to the movie industry, starring in A Star Is Born, opposite James Mason. Luft had been instrumental in putting together the film. She was nominated for an Academy Award, though she lost to Grace Kelly. Here, she's at the premiere.

In this casual photo, Judy posed with her children, Lorna, Liza and Joey, and her husband, Sid.

Judy continued an unyielding performance pace, signing with Capitol Records in 1955 and recording a dozen records during the next ten years. She also appeared on TV, made a Vegas debut, and toured the US and London on stage. She successfully recreated her ailing career, but it came with a price. In 1959, she was hospitalized with a nearly fatal case of hepatitis. Doctors told her that decades of stress would prevent her from future performances.

Despite her doctor's predictions, Judy staged yet another comeback in the early '60s. This time, she starred in the 1961 film, Judgment at Nuremberg, for which she was nominated for an Oscar. She also won Grammy Awards for Best Solo Vocal Performance and Album of the Year for Judy at Carnegie Hall.

After years of separations and a child custody battle, Judy divorced Luft and married actor Mark Herron. The marriage lasted less than a year.

Despite many sell-out concerts in the late '60s, Judy found herself deeply in debt and owing significant back taxes due to mismanagement and embezzlement. She headed to London to stage yet another comeback.

In March, she married her fifth husband, Mickey Deans, who was a former disco manager. Sadly, her London shows received mostly negative reviews as they were marred by Judy's erratic behavior, late arrivals, and slurred speech. On several occasions, she was too exhausted to go on stage.

Judy died in London on June 22 due to an accidental overdose, just days after her 47th birthday. With her striking voice, vibrant personality, and sheer tenacity for survival, fans around the world still adore this iconic American entertainer.