Judy Garland Birthday Honored at Tony Awards
Sunday, June 10 would have been Judy Garland's 90th birthday, earning the late singer and actress many tributes during last night's Tony Awards.
The 2012 Tony Awards broadcast not only highlighted the best television and plays of the season, but saw performances in honor of the "Wizard of Oz" star.
Garland was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota in 1922. Her career spanned 45 of her 47 years as an actress in musical and dramatic roles that included Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz."
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Several of her recordings have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame including "Over the Rainbow" which was ranked at the number one movie song of all time in the American Film Institute's "100 Years … 100 Songs."
The Grammy Award-winning singer died on June 22, 1969 after a long struggle with alcohol and drug use at the age of 47.
Tracie Bennett took the stage during Sunday's Tony Awards to sing "Clang Clang Clang (Went the Trolley," one of Garland's big numbers from "Meet Me In St. Louis."
Bennett was nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Garland.
Garland always had a large fan base within the gay community and has become a gay icon. Her birthday will also be celebrated during "Night of a Thousand Judys" in honor of the legendary singer and to benefit homeless LGBT youth. Musical numbers, skits, and other tributes will be featured during the June 18 show.
Also celebrating the musical icon's birthday, Garland's daughter Liza Minnelli posted several messages on her website.
"Today is a day for celebration," wrote Garland's famous daughter on Sunday. "We celebrate the privilege of having had Mama touch all of our lives."
"She left us with so many feelings we never would have discovered about ourselves until she exquisitely translated them to us with her voice," Minnelli continued. "She is to be missed deeply, yes… But, what if we never had her? That's what we celebrate today."
Hundreds of Judy Garland fans also took to Twitter to express their remembrance and respect for the late singer.
In addition to Minnelli, Garland left behind children Lorna and Joey Luft and her fifth husband, Mickey Deans.
