19. By now, everyone must know that Judy Garland's real name was ______ ?
From Quiz The Artist Formerly Known As ?
Answer:
Frances Gumm
I'm sure she'd rather be remembered as Judy Garland! Judy Garland was born June 19, 1922 in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. She was "born in a trunk" into a family of Vaudeville artistes. She joined the family act as Baby Gumm when she was two-and-a-half, warbling 'Jingle Bells'. The act eventually evolved into the Gumm Sisters, made up of Judy and her sisters. When a theatre audience broke into laughter when their last name was announced, George Jessel, who was appearing on the same bill, suggested that they change their name. This was in 1934.
Rumour has it that it was Judy who came up with Garland (from a then current film starring Carole Lombard), and that she chose Judy for her own first name from a then-popular song by Hoagy Carmichael. In 1935 the Garland Sisters arrived in Hollywood, Judy was signed by M-G-M, and the rest is history. In 1954 she was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in 'A Star is Born', but lost to Grace Kelly, who won for 'The Country Girl'.