Born Frances Ethel Gumm on the 10 of June 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Judy Garland was a petite, charming actress who appeared in some of the many classic films Easter Parade, A Star is Born and In the Good Old Summertime, however she will always remain best known for her role as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz.
Garland’s father operated the only movie theater in Grand Rapids until he moved the family to California in 1927. Garland made her stage debut at that Grand Rapids theater with her two older sisters.
In 1934 the Gumm Sisters performed in Chicago during the World’s Fair there. That is where Frances Gumm was advised to change her name to Judy Garland. Her voice got her into movies when she was 13 and kept her in demand for stage and television performances after her film career was over.
In 1959 she was diagnosed with a terrible case of hepatitis. Told she would never work again, Judy was determined to win, and she made several successful comebacks with Judgment at Nuremberg a one season television show on CBS called The Judy Garland Show and with her numerous concerts she performed worldwide in the 1960’s.
She died an untimely death on June 22 1969 of cirrhosis of the liver, caused by use (overuse) of diet pills throughout her career to keep her slim.
Culled from the IMDB Biography of Judy Garland.