Judy Garland, born Frances Ethel Gumm, was an American singer, theatre performer, and actress born on June 10, 1922, in Grand Rapids, Arizona, to vaudevillian parents Ethel Marion Gumm and Francis Avent Gumm. She attained international fame and critical praise for her musical and dramatic roles. She is regarded as one of Hollywood’s most talented and successful performers.
Garland’s parents were vaudevillian theatre performers who managed a theatre in Grand Rapids. Garland’s first performance was at the age of two when she joined her two older sisters, Mary Jane and Dorothy, at their father’s theatre for a Christmas show. In later years, the trio changed their stage name to “The Garland Sisters” as they toured the country. Garland was then signed into Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer after an impromptu audition in 1935.
Garland had an illustrious career spanning most of her life. She received multitudes of awards and acclaim for her films and shows, but her career was also plagued with much controversy and scandal. Garland claimed that most of her youth was stolen from her, and she struggled with substance and alcohol abuse in her adulthood. She died from an accidental overdose in 1969 at the age of 47.
With a long and complicated career, Garland had obtained a cult following. The LGBTQ Community considers Garland an integral gay icon. Her many marriages have also led people to question her gender orientation. Was Judy Garland gay? Or is her following within the gay community a result of her glamorous performances and relatable personal struggles?
VOTE: What was Judy Garland’s Sexuality?
Judy Garland’s Tumultuous Relationships
Judy Garland was plunged into a world of fame and controversy at such an early age. She also entered relationships relatively early on, getting married soon after she was legally able. Garland ended up with five marriages in total, all of them riddled with scandal and abuse. Here are some of Judy Garland’s prominent relationships:
Judy Garland and Artie Shaw (1940)
Garland was smitten with American musician Artie Shaw while she was still a teenager. Shaw was a famous musician, and Garland was giddy and over the moon having brushed shoulders with him. This short stint ended when Shaw eloped with Garland’s friend Lana Turner. It’s said that Garland locked herself in her room, screamed, and banged her head upon learning Shaw and Turner had married. The pair were divorced four months later. Garland and Shaw became great friends in later years.
Judy Garland and David Rose (1941-1944)
Bandleader and composer David Rose gave Garland a wedding ring on the actress’s 18th birthday. Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer immediately put a stop to the relationship as Rose was still married to Martha Raye. The 31-year-old Rose and 19-year-old Garland agreed to wait until after the divorce, and by July 27, 1941, the pair were married.
Garland reportedly underwent an abortion that same year as MGM, Garland’s mother, and Rose all disapproved of the pregnancy. The couple underwent a separation trial in 1943 and was divorced by 1944. Garland had another abortion in 1943 after an affair with actor Tyrone Power.
Judy Garland and Vicente Minelli (1945-1950)
After a short affair with director and actor Orson Welles, Garland went on to marry director Vicente Minelli. Garland and Minelli met while working together on “Meet Me In St. Louis,” and originally had a falling out. They later got into a relationship and were married on June 15, 1945.
By 1946, Garland had given birth to their daughter, Liza Minelli, who also became a Hollywood superstar. After giving birth, Garland was bedridden for months as she suffered from postpartum depression. She eventually returned to acting but stopped again after having a nervous breakdown. Garland spiraled into substance abuse as she had been taking amphetamines and barbiturates to manage her weight and workload. Minelli and Garland divorced in 1950.
Judy Garland and Sidney Luft (1952-1965)
Sidney Luft was an American showbiz figure who was Garland’s producer and manager. They got married on June 8, 1952, and Garland gave birth to Lorna in November. They had another child, Joey, three years later. The couple divorced in May of 1965 after 13 years of marriage, with Garland gaining custody of their children after accusing Luft of physical abuse and alcoholism.
Judy Garland and Mark Herron (1965-1966)
American actor and producer Mark Herron announced his marriage to Garland in 1965 after the two were wed on a freighter off the Hong Kong coast, but the actress was still married to Luft at the time. They were legally married in November of the same year in Las Vegas. The pair separated six months later after Garland claimed to have been beaten. Herron refuted the accusation, saying anything he did was done in self-defense.
Judy Garland and Mickey Deans (1969)
Mickey Deans and Garland met in New York and dated for three years before tying the knot in March 1969. Deans was an entrepreneur and musician who met Garland after a mutual friend had asked him to bring drugs to Garland’s hotel room. The actress’s kids were reportedly in the room with her, so Deans was rumored to have disguised himself as a doctor to avoid suspicion.
Despite Deans being 12 years younger and the less-than-favorable circumstances of their meeting, Garland and Deans were in love.
This is it. For the first time in my life, I am really happy. Finally, finally, I am loved.”
Judy Garland, Vanity Fair interview, 1969
Sadly, the actress was fighting her demons and was in a constant battle with substance abuse. She died three months after getting married, shortly after her 47th birthday.
Judy Garland’s Life-long Battle With Substance Abuse
Judy Garland came out and stated that she placed the blame on MGM for her substance abuse, depression, and problems with self-image. She has claimed numerous times that MGM had stolen her youth and pumped her full of amphetamines and barbiturates to the point of dependence.
MGM denied any responsibility, with Mickey Rooney saying, “Judy Garland was never given any drugs by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Mr. Mayer didn’t sanction anything for Judy. No one on that lot was responsible for Judy Garland’s death. Unfortunately, Judy chose that path.”
Was Judy Garland Gay?
No, Judy Garland was not gay. Garland’s many marriages and relationships with men are enough evidence for lots of people to conclude that the gay icon was straight. Many homosexuals related to her turbulent career and constant personal and professional struggles. When asked how she felt about being a gay icon, she simply replied, “I couldn’t care less. I sing to people!”
Featured Image: “Judy Garland”, by Los Angeles Times, licensed under CC-BY 4.0