Liza Minnelli facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Liza Minnelli
Minnelli in 1973
Born	Liza May Minnelli (1946-03-12) March 12, 1946 (age 79) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress singer dancer
Years active	1949–present
Works	Discography performances
Spouse(s)	Peter Allen ​ ​ (m. 1967; div. 1974)​ Jack Haley Jr. ​ ​ (m. 1974; div. 1979)​ Mark Gero ​ ​ (m. 1979; div. 1992)​ David Gest ​ ​ (m. 2002; div. 2007)​
Parent(s)	Vincente Minnelli Judy Garland
Relatives	Lorna Luft (half-sister) Joey Luft (half-brother)
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Traditional pop musical theatre vocal disco
Labels	Capitol A&M Columbia Epic Angel Decca
Associated acts	Judy Garland Bing Crosby Frank Sinatra Sammy Davis Jr. John Kander Fred Ebb Pet Shop Boys

Liza May Minnelli (born March 12, 1946) is a famous American actress, singer, and dancer. She is known for her powerful singing voice and amazing stage performances. Liza has won many important awards, including an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and four Tony Awards. She is also one of the few people to have won an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) in a special way, receiving two honorary Grammy Awards. France even made her a Knight of the Legion of Honour.

Liza's parents were very famous too: her mother was actress and singer Judy Garland, and her father was director Vincente Minnelli. Liza moved to New York City in 1961. She started her career in musical theater, singing in nightclubs, and performing pop songs. She made her first professional stage appearance in the musical Best Foot Forward in 1963. Liza became well-known for working with the musical team John Kander and Fred Ebb. She won Tony Awards for her roles in the Broadway musicals Flora the Red Menace (1965) and The Act (1978).

In movies, Liza became a star with her role in the drama film The Sterile Cuckoo (1969). This role earned her an Academy Award nomination. She later won the Academy Award for playing Sally Bowles in the musical film Cabaret (1972). This movie made her famous around the world. She also starred in other films like New York, New York (1977) and Arthur (1981). On TV, she had a popular role on the show Arrested Development (2003–2013).

Liza's concerts at famous venues like Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall were very successful. She toured with music legends Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. in a show called Frank, Liza & Sammy: The Ultimate Event. Liza is famous for singing classic American songs, and her signature tunes include "New York, New York" and "Cabaret".

Liza Minnelli's Early Life

Liza Minnelli was born on March 12, 1946, in Los Angeles, California. Her parents were the famous actress and singer Judy Garland and the well-known director Vincente Minnelli. They named her after a song called "Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)". Liza has two half-siblings, Lorna and Joey, from her mother's other marriage. She also has another half-sister, Christiane, from her father's second marriage.

Minnelli with her mother on the set of Summer Stock in 1950.

Liza first appeared in a movie when she was just three years old. She was in the last scene of the musical In the Good Old Summertime (1949), which starred her mother. In 1961, she moved to New York City. There, she attended the High School of Performing Arts, where she could learn and practice her acting and singing skills.

Liza Minnelli's Career Highlights

Starting in Theatre

In 1961, Liza worked as an apprentice at a theater in Massachusetts. She performed in the chorus of Flower Drum Song. At 17, in 1963, she made her professional stage debut in an Off-Broadway musical called Best Foot Forward. She won an award for this performance.

The next year, her mother, Judy Garland, invited Liza to perform with her in a concert in London. These concerts were so popular that they were recorded and released as an album. When Liza was 19, she made her Broadway debut and won her first Tony Award for Flora the Red Menace. This was the first time she worked with the famous musical writing team, John Kander and Fred Ebb.

Singing Career

Liza started singing in nightclubs when she was a teenager. She made her first professional nightclub appearance at age 19. Her success as a live performer led her to record several albums. In her early years, she sang classic pop songs and show tunes from musicals.

In 1989, Liza worked with the pop group Pet Shop Boys on an album called Results. This album was very popular in the UK. Later that year, she received a special Grammy Legend Award. With this award, she became one of the few people to win an Emmy, Grammy, Tony Award, and Academy Award.

In 1992, Liza performed at a tribute concert for her friend Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen. She sang "We Are the Champions" with the band members. In 2006, she even sang on My Chemical Romance's album The Black Parade.

Movies and Films

As Sally Bowles in Cabaret.

Liza's first movie appearance was as a baby in her mother's film In the Good Old Summertime (1949). Her first credited film role was in Charlie Bubbles (1967). She also voiced Dorothy in the animated film Journey Back to Oz, a sequel to The Wizard of Oz, a role her mother had played.

Liza starred in The Sterile Cuckoo (1969), playing a unique teenager. This role earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her most famous movie role was Sally Bowles in Cabaret (1972). For this role, Liza won the Academy Award for Best Actress, a Golden Globe Award, and a BAFTA Award. This movie made her an international star.

After Cabaret, Liza worked with director Bob Fosse on a TV special called Liza with a 'Z'. A Concert for Television. Liza then starred in New York, New York (1977), which gave her one of her most famous songs. Her next film, Arthur (1981), was a big success. She later appeared in Stepping Out (1991), a musical comedy.

Television Appearances

Mikhail Baryshnikov and Minnelli in Baryshnikov on Broadway, 1980.

As a child, Liza appeared on TV shows like Art Linkletter's show. She also sang and danced with Gene Kelly in 1959. In the 1960s, she was a guest on many variety shows, including Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and The Ed Sullivan Show. She also appeared on her mother's show, The Judy Garland Show.

In 1965, she starred in a TV special called The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood. In 1972, she starred in the Emmy-winning special Liza with a Z. She also made two TV specials in 1980: Goldie and Liza Together, with Goldie Hawn, and An Evening with Liza Minnelli.

Later in her career, Liza made guest appearances on popular shows like Arrested Development, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Smash. In 2009, American Public Television aired Liza's at the Palace, a recording of her hit Broadway show.

Later Career and Health

In 1997, Liza returned to Broadway in the musical Victor/Victoria. In 2000, she had a serious illness called viral encephalitis. Doctors thought she might not walk or speak again. But Liza worked very hard, taking vocal and dance lessons every day, and she made an amazing recovery.

She returned to the stage in 2001, singing "New York, New York" on The Rosie O'Donnell Show. She also performed at a special concert for her friend Michael Jackson. From 2003 to 2005, she played a recurring character, Lucille Austero, on the TV sitcom Arrested Development. She returned to this role in 2013.

In 2007, Liza announced she was working on an album to honor Kay Thompson. This led to her new solo concert on Broadway, Liza's at The Palace!, which ran from 2008 to 2009. In 2010, she made a cameo appearance in the movie Sex and the City 2, where she sang "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)".

Liza Minnelli's Personal Life

Liza Minnelli has been married four times. Her first marriage was to entertainer Peter Allen in 1967. They divorced in 1974. Her second marriage was to producer and director Jack Haley Jr. in 1974. His father had co-starred with Liza's mother in The Wizard of Oz. They divorced in 1979.

Liza then married Mark Gero, a sculptor, in 1979. They divorced in 1992. Her fourth marriage was to concert promoter David Gest in 2002. Their wedding was a big event with over 1200 guests, including Michael Jackson as the best man and Elizabeth Taylor as the matron of honor. They separated in 2003 and divorced in 2007.

Liza has had close friendships with many famous people, including singer Adam Ant and French pop singer Charles Aznavour. She does not have any children.

Helping Others: Philanthropy

Liza Minnelli has supported many charities and good causes throughout her life. She was on the board of directors for The Institutes for The Achievement of Human Potential (IAHP) for 20 years. This group helps parents learn about child brain development.

Liza has also spent a lot of time helping amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research. She lost many friends to AIDS. In 1994, she recorded a song called "The Day After That" and gave all the money from it to AIDS research. She also performed this song in front of thousands of people in Central Park to mark the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, an important event for LGBTQ+ rights.

Liza Minnelli's Music Albums

Studio albums

• Liza! Liza! (1964)
• It Amazes Me (1965)
• There Is a Time (1966)
• Liza Minnelli (1968)
• Come Saturday Morning (1969)
• New Feelin' (1970)
• The Singer (1973)
• Tropical Nights (1977)
• Results (1989)
• Gently (1996)
• Confessions (2010)

Liza Minnelli's Performances

Film Roles

Television Roles

Theatre Roles

Awards and Honors

Liza Minnelli has received many important awards for her work. In 1991, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. France honored her by making her a Knight of the French Legion of Honour. She has won an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, a Grammy Award, and three Tony Awards.

Images for kids

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  Minnelli, in 1993, visiting the tomb of Eva Perón in Buenos Aires.

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  Minnelli at The Heart Truth Fashion Show 2008.

See also

In Spanish: Liza Minnelli para niños

• List of persons who have won Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards