Who Played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz
Judy Garland is the actor who portrayed Dorothy Gale in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, and died on June 22, 1969. The role made her one of the most recognized performers in Hollywood history, with the film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and distributed by Loew's Inc. The Wizard of Oz remains one of the most watched films worldwide, according to the Library of Congress and the American Film Institute, which rank it among the top films in U.S. cultural history American Film Institute.
Garland signed with MGM at age 13 and was cast as Dorothy after a competitive process involving multiple studios. The film was directed by Victor Fleming, with a screenplay by Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, and Edgar Allan Woolf, based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The production budget was approximately $2.8 million, and the film earned around $3 million in its original theatrical run, with later rereleases and television broadcasts generating billions in total revenue Library of Congress.
Judy Garland's Career After The Wizard of Oz
After The Wizard of Oz, Garland starred in films such as Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), A Star Is Born (1954), and Judgement at Nuremberg (1961). She won a Juvenile Academy Award in 1940 and received a special Grammy Award for The Wizard of Oz soundtrack album. Garland also released numerous albums, including Judy at Carnegie Hall (1961), which won a Grammy for Album of the Year and reached number one on the Billboard chart Grammy Awards.
Garland's television specials in the 1960s, including The Judy Garland Show (1963-1964), featured performances with major guests and musical acts. The show received 12 Emmy nominations and won one for Outstanding Musical Program. Garland's concert tours in the 1960s, including performances at Carnegie Hall and the Palace Theatre, were documented in live albums and films that continue to generate revenue through streaming and physical media sales Forbes.
Legacy and Financial Impact of the Wizard of Oz Role
Earnings and Royalties
Garland earned $500 per week during filming of The Wizard of Oz, a standard rate for MGM contract players at the time. The film's soundtrack album and the song "Over the Rainbow" continue to generate royalties for the Garland estate through licensing agreements with music publishers and film distributors. The Wizard of Oz merchandise, including costumes, replicas, and collectibles, remains a high-demand category in entertainment memorabilia markets.
Cultural and Media Influence
The Wizard of Oz has been adapted into stage productions, television specials, and a 1978 film The Wiz, with multiple actors portraying Dorothy in those versions. The 2024 film Wicked, based on the Broadway musical, references the original Wizard of Oz story and characters, keeping the franchise relevant in current box office rankings. The film industry continues to reference Garland's portrayal as a defining performance in musical cinema history SEC Filings.