Legendary

Ah!! It’s the lovely Liza Minnelli’s birthday - 62 today.

Anyone who knows me will already know that she is one of my all-time icons. I have been known on many occasions to burst into a rousing chorus of Mein Herr or Cabaret at the drop of a hat...

And Liza’s life has indeed been the stuff of legend (and a fair smattering of tragedy). But here are some lesser-known facts about Liza:

• To achieve "that look" for Cabaret, she studied photographs of iconic actresses from the silent movie era such as Louise Brooks.
• She took over in Kander and Ebb’s "Chicago" on Broadway when Gwen Verdon fell ill.
• The life and times of her first husband Peter Allen formed the basis of the Australian musical The Boy From Oz starring Hugh Jackman.
• She is one of only twelve actors who has won an Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Academy Award.
• After falling seriously ill with encephalitis in 2000, doctors had predicted Liza would spend the rest of her life in a wheelchair.
• She was the first performer to sell out Carnegie Hall for a full 11 days of performances.
• Miss Minnelli's godfather was Ira Gershwin.
• She stood in for Dean Martin in concert with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr for a television spectacular.
• If rumours are to be believed, two of her four husbands have been homosexual.
• Her latest planned project is to stage a show based upon the songs of her godmother Kay Thompson.

Happy birthday Liza!

Liza Minnelli - Mein Herr

Liza Minnelli official website