- Born
- Birth nameLiza May Minnelli
- Nicknames
- The Queen of Hollywood
- The Queen of Broadway
- Height5′ 4″ (1.63 m)
- Liza Minnelli was born on March 12, 1946, the daughter of Judy Garland and movie director Vincente Minnelli. She was practically raised at MGM studios while her parents worked long hours there and she made her film debut at 14 months of age in the movie In the Good Old Summertime (1949). Her parents divorced in 1951 and, in 1952, her mother married Sidney Luft, with sister Lorna Luft and brother Joey Luft subsequently being born. Her father, Vincente Minnelli, later married Georgette Magnani, mother of her half-sister Christiane Nina "Tina Nina" Minnelli.
At 16, Liza was on her own in New York City, struggling to begin her career in show business. Her first recognition came for the play "Best Foot Forward" which ran for seven months in 1963. The following year, Judy invited Liza to appear at a show with her at the London Palladium. This show sold out immediately and a second night was added to it. Liza's performance in London was a huge turning point in both her career and her relationship with her mother. The audience absolutely loved Liza and Judy realized that Liza was now an adult with her own career. It was at the Palladium where Liza met her first husband, Peter Allen, a friend of Judy's.
Liza won a Tony award at age 19 and was nominated for her first Academy Award at age 23 for the role of Pookie Adams in The Sterile Cuckoo (1969). Other dramatic roles followed and, in 1972, she won an Oscar for her performance as Sally Bowles in the movie Cabaret (1972). The 1970s were a busy time for Liza. She worked steadily in film, stage, and music. She and her good friend Halston were regulars at Studio 54, the trendiest disco club in the world. Marriages to filmmaker Jack Haley Jr. and Mark Gero, a sculptor who earned his living in the theater, followed. Each marriage ended in divorce.
Over the past years, her career has leaned more towards stage performances and she has a long list of musical albums to which she continues to add. She teamed with Frank Sinatra in his "Duets" CD, and Sammy Davis Jr. joined them for a series of concerts and TV shows that were extremely well-received.
She has had to deal with tabloid stories of drug abuse and ill-health and has had a number of high profile stays at drug-rehabilitation clinics. Her hectic schedule may have slowed down in recent years, but she still has a large following of immensely loyal fans who continue to cheer her on.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Sheryl S. Reeder < sherry@reeder.com>
- SpousesDavid Gest(March 16, 2002 - April 20, 2007) (divorced)Mark Gero(December 4, 1979 - January 27, 1992) (divorced)Jack Haley Jr.(September 15, 1974 - April 16, 1979) (divorced)Peter Allen(March 3, 1967 - June 24, 1974) (divorced)
- ChildrenNo Children
- Parents
- RelativesLorna Luft(Half Sibling)Joey Luft(Half Sibling)Danae Reynaud(Niece or Nephew)Eiko Nishi(Niece or Nephew)Jesse Richards(Niece or Nephew)Vanessa Hooker(Niece or Nephew)
- Big finishes on every show or song
- Slick, bobbed shagged hair
- Her mole
- She and her mother, Judy Garland, were the first Oscar-nominated mother and daughter.
- While Frank Sinatra's version of "New York, New York" is played at Yankee Stadium after every Yankee home win, Liza Minnelli's version is played after every Yankee home loss.
- Because Liza constantly traveled with her mother, she spent most of her childhood in hotels. She was the inspiration for the titular character who grew up in the Plaza Hotel in the "Eloise at the Plaza Hotel" book series, written by Liza's godmother, Kay Thompson.
- Stated in an interview that she had her first kiss with Rock Brynner, son of Yul Brynner. They are still friends to this day.
- Is the only performer who can claim the distinction of being a "R.E.G.O.T.", someone who has won a Razzie, an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award.
- [12/99] I've got a good life, and I don't think anything can rock that anymore.
- [in the film That's Entertainment! (1974)] Thank God for film, it can capture a moment and hold it there forever. If anyone ever asks you, "Who were they?" or "What made them so good?" I think a reel of film answers that question.
- Reality is something you rise above.
- My mother gave me my drive but my father gave me my dreams.
- [2004] I feel like I haven't done my best work yet. I feel like there's a world of possibilities out there.
- Arrested Development (2003) - $50,000 / episode (season 4)
- Cabaret (1972) - $250 000
- The Kraft Music Hall (1967) - $7,500
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