How Old Judy Garland Was In The Wizard Of Oz

Though Judy Garland became an acclaimed actress and singer, she is most well known for portraying Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz when she was just a teenager. Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm in 1922 and began singing with her sisters from a young age. Garland was signed to MGM at age 13 after an MGM songwriter heard her and her sisters' performance. After starring in several coming-of-age movies, Judy Garland was cast as the main character in The Wizard of Oz, which made her one of the biggest stars in the United States at that time.

Garland went on to star in many other popular films, especially musicals, such as Meet Me in St. Louis, The Harvey Girls, Easter Parade, and A Star Is Born. For many audiences, though, Garland remained forever associated with the initial stardom she found through The Wizard of Oz. The movie was the first time that many audiences had seen her talent both as a singer and an actor, and songs like "Over the Rainbow" have had a longstanding popularity that even extends beyond the movie. This legacy was certainly an impressive feat for such a young artist to manage.

Judy Garland Was 16 Years Old In The Wizard Of Oz

Dorothy Gale Is Supposed To Be 12 In The Movie

Judy Garland was only 16 when she played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz opposite many adult co-stars. Given her talent, which MGM had discovered several years earlier, she was a good choice to play Dorothy due to her acting and singing abilities. However, she had obtained a girl-next-door reputation and was at an odd age to play children's roles, leading to the studio making some changes to her appearance for filming.

Though Judy Garland was only 16 at the time of filming The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale was even younger. Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz movie was supposed to be 12 years old, and, though L. Frank Baum does not state her age in the original book, later books in the series hint that she was even younger than 12. Because of this age discrepancy, Garland was forced to wear caps on her teeth, discs to reshape her nose, and the now-famous blue gingham dress to help hide her maturing figure, all to maintain the appearance of a young girl (via The Irish Independent).

Why The Treatment Of Judy Garland While Filming The Wizard Of Oz Was So Controversial

There Were Fewer Regulations Regarding Child Stars Than There Are Today

Hollywood is not exactly known for its positive treatment of young women, and Judy Garland is no exception. While the discrimination and abuse that women actors often face on movie sets is never justified, the treatment of Judy Garland on the set of The Wizard of Oz is particularly difficult to stomach because of her young age.

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The production of The Wizard of Oz has become notorious over the years for the trouble that occurred on set and for the treatment of teenage Judy Garland. Garland alleged that MGM officials had proscribed her amphetamines to stay awake for long working hours and barbiturates to fall asleep at night, making it hard for her to perform. Additionally, Garland later stated that she faced inappropriate and unwanted advances from adult colleagues (via The Washington Post). Though The Wizard of Oz is a classic and beloved film, it is difficult to look back on the movie knowing that its star was treated so badly during the production.

Source: The Irish Independent, The Washington Post

Based on Frank L. Baum's book of the same name, The Wizard of Oz follows young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) as she's swept away to the magical land of Oz. Upon arriving, she falls afoul of a witch, then enlists the help of a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion in order to find the Wizard and get home to her family. 

Director Victor Fleming

Writers Florence Ryerson , Noel Langley , Edgar Allan Woolf

Cast Margaret Hamilton , Jack Haley , Judy Garland , Bert Lahr , Ray Bolger

Release Date August 25, 1939

Runtime 102 minutes