How old was Judy Garland when she did the Wizard of Oz? Was Judy Garland first choice for Dorothy in Wizard of Oz?

Judy Garland, a singer and actress, rose to recognition and success early on (June 10, 1922–June 22, 1969). Through her roles in movies with co-star Mickey Rooney, she attracted the attention of studio officials at the age of 13. For her exceptional work as a young actor on the cinema, notably her portrayal of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (1939), Garland won a special Oscar in 1940. The renowned Ruby Slippers, which Garland wore in the film, are kept at The Smithsonian.

Although the version of “Over the Rainbow” that she recorded for Decca in 1939 is not the one that appears in the movie, it was her hallmark song and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard charts that year. She gained popularity among the homosexual community thanks to the song, which allowed them to relate to both Dorothy and the song.

How old was Judy Garland when she did the Wizard of Oz?

Garland received her role as the young Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz (1939), a movie based on the 1900 children’s book by L. Frank Baum, when she was sixteen years old. She performed the song from the movie, “Over the Rainbow,” which would come to represent her forevermore.

Was Judy Garland first choice for Dorothy in Wizard of Oz?

MGM did not initially select Garland to play Dorothy. Shirley Temple, who was popular at the time, was. She had a contract with a rival studio, though, and they wouldn’t lend her out. MGM then went to Garland, who they had been developing as their “little hunchback,” as the company called him.