Judy Garland, born Frances Gumm, remains an enduring legend in Hollywood history, celebrated for her unforgettable performances in cinematic masterpieces such as “The Wizard of Oz,” “Meet Me in St. Louis,” and “A Star is Born.” While many of her on-screen characters found happiness, Garland’s personal life was marked by profound tragedy, a narrative sadly common among many Hollywood figures. Her untimely death on June 22, 1969, at the age of 47, occurred in her London apartment, attributed to an accidental overdose. Her husband, Mickey Deans, discovered her after forcing entry into their locked bathroom.
Garland’s adult life was undeniably fraught with hardship. She left behind three children: Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft, who were 23, 16, and 14, respectively, at the time of her passing. A closer examination of her early life suggests that her tragic end was almost foreshadowed. Beginning at the tender age of 10, Garland experienced abuse. Her own mother compelled her to perform even when ill and administered drugs to manage her energy levels. Despite ascending to become one of Hollywood’s most prominent stars, the young girl paid a steep price for fame that she was too young to even desire.
The Overbearing Influence of a “Stage Mother”
It’s not uncommon for parents to seek fulfillment through their children’s achievements, and this sentiment appears to have been strongly present in the life of Judy Garland’s mother, Ethel Gumm. Ethel, a former vaudeville performer with limited success herself, managed an act called The Gumm Sisters, featuring her daughters Mary Jane, Virginia, and Judy from the age of two. Reports indicate that Ethel began administering “pep pills and sleeping pills” to Judy around age 10, particularly when they were on tour. This practice is believed to have contributed to Garland’s lifelong struggle with drug dependency, stemming from Ethel’s intense desire for her daughters to achieve the stardom she herself had not attained.
Garland reportedly harbored complex feelings about her mother. In a 1967 interview with Barbara Walters, she famously referred to Ethel as “the real Wicked Witch of the West,” a nod to the iconic villain from “The Wizard of Oz.” Garland described her mother as “truly a stage mother. A mean one,” adding, “She was very jealous because she had absolutely no talent. … She would stand in the wings … and if I didn’t feel good … she’d say, ‘You get out and sing or I’ll wrap you around the bedpost and break you off short!’ So I’d go out and sing.”
The Rigors of MGM’s Diet Culture
Judy Garland’s official entry into Hollywood came in 1935 when she signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) at approximately 13 years old. It was during this period that her name was officially changed, though she and her sisters had adopted the surname Garland years prior. The name Judy was inspired by the 1934 Hoagy Carmichael song. However, signing with MGM, despite the studio’s investment in her potential, did not usher in an easier life. In fact, it arguably worsened. Following her debut in the musical “Pigskin Parade,” a film producer reportedly described her as a “fat little pig with pigtails.”
MGM subjected Garland to an extremely restrictive diet. Accounts suggest that studio executives would confiscate food from her, even as she reached for her first bite. Memos allegedly circulated among MGM executives discussing Garland’s fluctuating weight. For her role as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz,” a blue and white checkered dress was chosen specifically to conceal her figure, as the studio’s preferred actress for the part was unavailable. These struggles with eating and body image reportedly plagued her throughout her life.
Movie studios of that era were notorious for their mistreatment of actors, and withholding food was not the only form of abuse Garland endured at MGM.
The Studio’s Role in Fostering Drug Addiction
The pattern of drug administration, initiated by her mother, reportedly continued with MGM executives when Garland was working on “The Wizard of Oz” at age 17. Amphetamines and barbiturates were allegedly provided to help her cope with the demanding filming schedule. Although Garland’s contract with MGM was eventually terminated early, she experienced a significant Hollywood comeback in the 1954 Warner Bros. film “A Star Is Born.”
A source speaking to Roger Ebert after Garland’s death revealed that she had been clean for the initial months of filming “A Star Is Born.” The insider recalled, “Everybody had heard about how temperamental she was, how impossible she was to work with, but in fact she was sunny and calm. She was off the pills, looking good, and working well.” However, as the film encountered delays and budget overruns, Garland was reportedly subjected to increased pressure and overwork.
The sudden appearance of a nurse on set, which the source noted “almost always meant a star was on dope,” signaled a return to old habits. The source explained, “They were going back to the same so-called solution of 10 or 15 years ago: If Garland was in trouble, or you thought she might be, put her on pills. Speed her up, slow her down. Run her like a clock.” This period is believed to have had a lasting negative impact on the actress. According to Garland’s daughter, Lorna Luft, as reported in Vanity Fair, a doctor informed Garland in 1959 that the cumulative effects of alcohol and addiction had rendered her a “permanent semi-invalid” and that she would likely never work again.
Enduring Sexual Harassment in Hollywood
In November 2017, details emerged regarding the sexual harassment Judy Garland reportedly faced from Hollywood executives. These accounts were unearthed by a Garland biographer from an unfinished memoir spanning only 68 pages. The biographer, Gerald Clarke, wrote in his book, “Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland,” that “Between the ages of sixteen and twenty, Judy herself was to be approached for sex — and approached again and again. ‘Don’t think they all didn’t try,’ she said.”
Among those accused of harassment was Louis B. Mayer, the co-founder of MGM Studios. Mayer, known for his admiration of Garland’s voice, signed her without a screen test. In her memoir, Garland recounted Mayer’s habit of touching her left breast whenever he complimented her singing, framing it as an expression of her singing “from the heart.” She wryly noted, “I often thought I was lucky that I didn’t sing with another part of my anatomy.” Garland eventually confronted Mayer, asking him to stop. He reportedly responded with tears and confessions of love.
Garland also recounted an incident where she was propositioned by another unnamed executive in his office. Upon her refusal, he reportedly became enraged as she was leaving, threatening, “Listen you — before you go, I want to tell you something. I’ll ruin you and I can do it. I’ll break you if it’s the last thing I do.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, addiction, has been a victim of sexual assault, or has experienced a hate crime, please reach out to the following resources:
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA):
- Website: [NEDA website]
- Live Helpline: 1-800-931-2237
- 24/7 Crisis Support via text: Text NEDA to 741-741
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
- Website: [SAMHSA website]
- National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network):
- Website: [RAINN website]
- National Helpline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
