Judy Garland & Mickey Rooney Shared A Deep ‘Forever Love’ That Lasted All Their Lives

Apr 15, 2022 by apost team

The singer, actress, producer, radio figure, and television star Judy Garland left a legacy unparalleled in Hollywood's history. But behind her immeasurable success, you can detect an anxiety-ridden young girl looking for something she would never find. Turning to addictive coping mechanisms and her work, Garland left her mark on the silver screen from the 1920s to the 1960s.

By age four, Garland found her way to California. The famed singer and actress was born in the midwestern state of Minnesota on June 10, 1922. Frances Ethel Gumm, as she was known then, frequently worked on stage at her parents vaudevillian movie theater, along with her two sisters. From their vaudevillian performances, the Gumm Sisters starred in the 1929 film “The Big Revue,” highlighting both their singing and dancing skills. During this time, the sisters took on their Garland stage names.

Garland’s breakout role as young Dorothy from Kansas came when she was only 17 years old, landing the lead in “The Wizard of Oz.” Finding success in the musical film niche, the actress went on to star in “Meet Me in St. Louis” half a decade later. As an adult, it marked her true break into the industry away from childhood stardom.

Although Garland struggled over the course of her career within herself and her personal life, she had a beautiful family and great friends by her side. One of her closest and dearest friends was fellow actor Mickey Rooney. During their time in the limelight, the pair built a beautiful bond as they worked alongside each other on multiple projects. Let’s take a look back at their amazing friendship.

It’s clear that Garland came from a very talented family. While she found early success alongside her sisters, she became well known on her own later on, especially for her leading role in “The Wizard of Oz.” She also proved to be more than just a child star as some of her most critically acclaimed work came later on in her career, including her turn in “A Star is Born” in 1954 and “Judgment at Nuremberg” in 1961.

Talent must run in the familial genes as Garland’s daughters are now legendary stars themselves. During her life, Garland was married five times and had her first daughter Liza Minnelli was her second husband Vincente Minnelli. After their divorce in 1951, Garland went on to marry Sidney Luft, and the pair welcomed Lorna Luft the following year.

Even though they played romantic interests in a variety of projects, Garland and her close friend Rooney were never romantically involved. However, that doesn’t mean that the two didn’t share a strong love for each other.

The famous duo starred in a plethora of films together as they both worked under the management of MGM. They first appeared together in the movie “Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry” in 1937. Garland and Rooney went on to star opposite each other again in “Love Finds Andy Hardy” in 1938 and “Babes in Arms” in 1939. The former turned into a film series, and included follow-up movies “Andy Hardy Meets Debutante” and “Life Begins for Andy Hardy,” both of which showcased Garland and Rooney’s great chemistry.

apost.com

In 1948, Garland made her last film appearance alongside Rooney in the biopic “Words and Music.” It did poorly at the box office. For several years prior to this, Garland had been struggling behind the scenes with substance abuse issues, according to PBS. However, Rooney denied Garland’s claims about how their entertainment company had been enabling this.

Despite some hiccups, it’s clear that Garland and Rooney shared an unbreakable bond as they had a lot of love and adoration for each other for several decades. According to Closer Weekly, Rooney said, “There was more than a love affair. It was so special. It was a forever love.”

Garland and Rooney developed a friendship almost instantaneously upon meeting one another for “Thoroughbreds Don’t Cry.” They also appreciated each other’s abilities. Richard A. Lertzman, co-author of “The Life of Times of Mickey Rooney,” said, “Judy sang and Mickey couldn’t believe her voice.” The feeling was mutual. “She loved his talent and energy,” Lertzman added.

Even after they no longer worked together, Garland and Rooney still spent plenty of time together. William J. Birnes, Lertzman’s co-author said, “...They used to go over to Judy’s house in the 1960s. The kids would play, and Mickey and Judy would sit at the piano and sing.”

They stayed friends until the very end. When Garland died in 1969, Rooney was left heartbroken. “Judy, as we speak, has not passed away,” Rooney had said. “She’s always with me in every heartbeat of my body.” Although both icons are no longer with us, it’s clear that Garland and Rooney’s friendship and legacies will live on forever.

Did you know about Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney’s beautiful bond? Have you seen any of the films they’ve starred in together? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your loved ones.