Birth Place: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Perhaps no three words in the English language better personify show business than Liza May Minnelli. The daughter of legendary film maker Vincent Minnelli and one of the greats of film and stage, Judy Garland, Liza was born 75 years ago today in the veritable home of show business-- Hollywood, California.
It was almost a given, preordained, that the young daughter of such show business royalty would pursue performing. What no one could predict, however, was that Liza Minnelli would conquer stage, screen, records, concerts and later on, even television. She became a nightclub performer at the age of 16, won her first Tony at 19, released three albums through Capitol Records by 20, and received her first Oscar nomination at 24. Liza became a fashion icon in her teens with her signature pixie cut- the result of having to chop her locks when playing around with some friends ended with a wad of gum in her hair. That, plus her red lips and ensembles, made her a muse to designers like Halston, and a creative muse for such Broadway luminaries as John Kander and Fred Ebb, who Liza famously claimed “created her.”
Liza left home and moved to New York to become a Broadway performer. “To be on Broadway, you have to go to New York. So I went to New York. And that was the last time that I took any money from my parents” When asked if having famous parents helped her career, Liza responded, “People don’t want to spend money on a publicity stunt- you have to deliver.” And deliver she did. She delivered so well that when she was 19, Minnelli became the youngest person to win the leading actress in a musical Tony for her turn in the 1965 Kander and Ebb musical Flora the Red Menace. Thus beginning a long standing relationship between the hit making duo and Liza. Her other Broadway credits include Liza, Chicago, The Act, The Rink, Victor/Victoria, Minnelli on Minnelli and Liza's at the Palace.
From Steppin Out to Sex in The City, Tell Me That You Love Me Junie Moon to Arthur, and the role that cemented her into the status of bona fide movie star, Cabaret, Liza Minelli dominated the screen. She received her first Oscar nomination for her riveting performance in the romantic comedy The Sterile Cuckoo. It's been often said that Liza’s infamous telephone scene is one of the greatest performances in film history. She did the scene on her first day on set when production began, in one take with no edits. Liza has said that after doing this scene in one take she knew that she understood the character and that it gave her a lot of confidence as an actress. That confidence was displayed in the role of a lifetime as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. The 1972, Bob Fosse-directed big-screen musical earned eight Oscars, including one for Liza’s work as American expatriate in 1930s Berlin during the rise of Nazism. Her father Vincent Minnelli advised her to not fashion Sally Bowles after Marlene Dietrich, but Louise Brooks instead. The look may have been Brooks, but the performance was pure Liza.
In 1961 Liza’s mother, Judy Garland, brought her and her siblings onstage at Carnegie Hall- it was apparent to all then that Liza was a live performer. Liza’s high octane live shows are a thing of lore, and to see her in concert is to have seen, what many describe as, a tour de force. Tony Bennett became one of Liza’s early mentors, as was the late French Armenian singer Charles Aznavour, whom Liza has credited with teaching her how to inhabit a song. Liza single handedly created the one-woman television show, at a time when no one had done that: “I thought it was a good idea” Liza said “Someone told me that I couldn’t do that- and all of these rules, but you gotta try.” That show, Liza with a Z, won 4 Emmys and a Peabody award.
Through her movies, TV appearances, concerts and recordings, new generations are continuing to be inspired by Liza. She has appeared as herself on TV in Smash, The Voice: UK, So You Think You Can Dance, The Apprentice and more, and she is also known for her portrayal of Lucille Austero in the comedy series Arrested Development. Liza has dedicated much time to amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, which was co-founded by Elizabeth Taylor. Liza has also supported the Great American Songbook Foundation, Broadway Cares, and The Actors Fund.
From: Photo Coverage: Henri Bendel Unveils HIRSCHFELD SPECTACULAR Window Exhibit
From: Photo Coverage: Liza, Chita & More Onstage at The Best of Jim Caruso's CAST PARTY
Liza Minnelli, The Rink
Liza Minnelli, The Rink
Liza Minnelli, The Act
Liza Minnelli
Liza Minnelli , Flora, the Red Menace
Liza Minnelli, Best Foot Forward
China Forbes – the glamorous voice of Portland, Oregon’s very own, world-famous “little orchestra,” Pink Martini – will be releasing her forthcoming album, The Road, on May 17, 2024 via Heinz Records. The Road displays a return to the singer-songwriter’s roots, sharing a journey of personal songs that tell the story of her life so far, highlighting themes of emotional depth and self-discovery. Listen to a single here!
54 Below will present Seth Sikes and Nicolas King in The New Belters Sing MGM on Monday, April 22 at 7:00 PM. Broadway legend Andrea McArdle was just added as special guest.
CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in “The Box Set,” a fantastic season-long retrospective of the celebrated theater and concert artist’s acclaimed shows. Learn how to purchase tickets.
The 2024 Tribeca Festival has unveiled its features lineup, offering a diverse array of narrative, documentary, and animated films, including several from Broadway favorites. The festival will see the world premiere of LIZA: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story about Broadway icon Liza Minnelli. Documentaries include the world premiere of Satisfied, an intimate look at the actress Renée Elise Goldsberry.
This Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, get lost in the powerful voice of STORM LARGE as she takes the stage at Feinstein's inside The Hotel Carmichael in Carmel.
The month of April offers a variety of entertainment opportunities for fans from 1 to 100 and everywhere in between. Check out all the activities coming to Feinstein's at The Hotel Carmichael this month.
El estreno será el 6 de junio en el Teatro del Soho CaixaBank.
Experience the multimedia cult hit CASHINO at Birdland Theater, starring Susie Mosher and John Boswell.
In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920's draw to a close, a garish MC welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the Cabaret. With the Emcee's bawdy songs as wry commentary, Cabaret explores the dark, heady, and tumultuous life of Berlin's natives and expatriates as Germany slowly yields to the emerging Third Reich.
Ahead of his third appearance at the Mark Taper Forum under the banner Feinstein's at the Taper, BroadwayWorld sat down to chat with Michael Feinstein about the upcoming performance of RAINBOW: The New Judy Garland Musical on Saturday, April 13 at 8PM.
54 BELOW will present Seth Sikes and Nicolas King in The New Belters Sing MGM. Learn more about the concert and see how to purchase tickets.
Catch the latest performances by Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch at Bemelmans Bar.
Greenwich Entertainment presents UNCROPPED, which rediscovers the work of New York photographer James Hamilton, one of the great chroniclers of the cultural history of America.
BIRDLAND THEATER will present rising actress and vocalist Ava Paris Locknar in “Tall Girl Singing' this month. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.
Birdland Jazz Club and Birdland Theater are open this April with a full slate of nightly performances! See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets.
Feinstein's has revealed the full lineup for April. See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets.
Nicholas Dromard and Desiree Davar, or Nic and Desi as they’re more familiarly known, were utterly charming at their March 23rd show, Bubbles and Taps, at Green Room 42. The married couple are true triple threats. In addition to their singing and acting chops, they’re both trained dancers. Their adorable daughter even made a special appearnace!
CHELSEA TABLE + STAGE will present the return of Klea Blackhurst in “The Box Set,” a fantastic season-long retrospective of the celebrated theater and concert artist’s acclaimed shows. Learn how to purchase tickets.
On April 29, 2024, Signature Theatre will honor icon of stage and screen Nathan Lane with the company’s thirteenth Stephen Sondheim Award. Learn more!
A new Broadway season has arrived at last, full of exciting new shows and revivals of beloved classics. While many of them are original concepts or based on plays, 10 are already films that you can watch from home. If you are seeing any of the below productions in 2024, check out how you can study up beforehand or unpack afterwards!
Liza Minnelli has appeared on Broadway in 9 shows.
Liza Minnelli has not appeared in the West End.
Liza Minnelli has been nominated for several awards throughout her career, including Outstanding Actress in a Musical at the Drama Desk Awards for "The Rink," Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "The Rink" and "The Act," a Special Tony Award, and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Tony Awards for "Flora, the Red Menace." She also received a Performance award at the Theatre World Awards for "Best Foot Forward."
Liza Minnelli has won several awards, including the Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Tony Award for "The Act," a Special Tony Award, another Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical Tony Award for "Flora, the Red Menace," and a Theatre World Award for Best Foot Forward.
Videos