Today is Judy Garland’s birthday, so in honor, some JG trivia.

• Born 6/10/22 in Grand Rapids, MN.
• Birth name is Frances Ethel Gumm.
• Died 6/22/69 caused by an “incautious self-overdosage of Seconal” which had raised the barbiturate level in her body beyond its tolerance. The day she died, there was a tornado in Kansas.
• Drug addition purportedly started by MGM providing her amphetamines to keep her energy level high and her weight level down. The amphetamines kept her up at night, so she then turned to barbiturates to help her sleep.
• Married 5 times, though one was disputed as she was still technically married to guy #4 when she married #5.
• Mother of Liza Minnelli, Lorna Luft, and Joey Luft.
• Had crooked front teeth, for which an MGM dentist fitted her with removable caps to wear in her films, including The Wizard of Oz.
• First cousin three times removed of US President Ulysses S. Grant.
• Had intense fears of flying, horses, and guns.
• Her portrayal of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz was the inspiration for the character of Mary Ann on “Gilligan’s Island” (From Kansas, ponytails, lived on a farm with an aunt and uncle…).
• The Judy Garland Museum wobsite is terrible.