How Did I Miss That? Episode 1
Welcome to Episode 1,
That’s Her MOM?!
So apparently I live under a rock most of the time. I’ve never claimed to be up on all the current trends, gossip, or news, but I would have thought I’d known more by now. Quite frequently I stumble across an interesting tidbit, that the rest of the world seems to know, but was lost to me. Enter the How Did I Miss That? Podcast. Join me bi-weekly as I jump down the rabbit hole, researching the things I should be aware of by this age. Maybe you’ll roll your eyes and say, WOW, how did she not know that? Maybe you’ll find a kindred spirit of under rock living. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll learn something new either way.
I’m Lisa Blank and this is How Did I Miss That?
Here's the tidbit that started it all. Judy Garland is Liza Minnelli’s mom! I know, I know. Clearly I’ve been asleep for…well, my entire life. I’m sure I heard this somewhere before…how could I not! But when I was watching some TV show a few weeks ago and this fact was stated, I immediately thought, wait, what?! Then I hit Wikipedia and good old Google to learn more. And then I texted my husband with my latest podcast idea.
But it’s true…Liza Minnelli IS one of Judy Garland’s 3 children!
Ms. Garland, who was born Frances Ethel Gumm in June of 1922, had one whirlwind of a life that ended way too soon. People have always referred to her life as tragic or that she was a tragic figure. Allegedly, she disagreed and her younger daughter, Lorna Luft, stated that while her untimely death was tragic, her career was anything but. And she wasn’t wrong! Starting as a child and performing with her sisters in a vaudeville show and continuing for over 40 years, she appeared in 34 feature films and could be seen performing on stage, television, and the big screen with a voice like no other…and those captivating, innocent eyes. She truly was beautiful, talented, and made to be a star! Hollywood apparently agreed. During her 40 plus year career, Ms. Garland was nominated for 20 various awards and honored with 13 wins.
Did you know she’s been on a postage stamp, not once, but twice! First in 1989 when the price of a stamp was only 25 cents, and again in 2006. She also has two stars on the Hollywood walk of fame and a wax figure in Madame Tussauds.
Sadly, her life was cut short by an accidental overdose in 1969 at the age of 47.
Now I could go on and on about her movies, accomplishments, and life, but I’ll leave you to go down your own rabbit hole.
I’ll end with this last tidbit that I didn’t know either…she made a comeback in 1954 by appearing in A Star is Born with James Mason, which was the first remake of the original 1934 film. The movie would go on to be remade two more times…in 1976 with Barbra Streisand & Kris Kristofferson and most recently in 2018 starring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
Now I’m off to research the next interesting fact and wonder…how did I miss that?
Thank you for listening and I hope you’ll join me as I continue this podcast of all the things I don’t know but probably should.
Ms. Judy Garland lived a life of highs and lows where depression and drug addiction were present. If you find yourself in a similar situation, please know that help is always available by calling 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
