Joey Luft: Judy Garland’s Only Son, Whose Mother Married Five Times, Prefers a Private Life Away from the Limelight
As the youngest of Judy Garland’s talented children, Joey Luft has certainly had his fair share of the spotlight. At a young age, Joey had already appeared on television with his two sisters, Liza and Lorna, alongside their mother, an iconic American actress, singer, and dancer.
Despite having a turbulent childhood due to his parent’s divorce as well as his mother’s battle with debt, depression, and drug addiction, Joey has nothing negative to say about his loved ones and recalls his mom as the most caring person who had the most incredible sense of humor.
After being in front of the camera during his early years, Joey has chosen to be behind the scenes for most of his career. In addition to being an actor, he studied photography and sound and worked as an editor and runner. Learn more about his life in this guide!
Get to Know Joey Luft: Personal and Family Facts
Joseph Wiley Luft, popularly known as Joey Luft, was born on March 29, 1955, in Los Angeles, California, United States. His father is Michael Sidney Luft, an American producer and prominent show business figure, while his mother is American actress and singer Judy Garland.
Joey grew up with his two older sisters, Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft. He also had a half-sibling from his father’s side, an older brother named John Michael Luft. Joey’s parents separated in 1963 and had a divorce in 1965 on the grounds of mental cruelty and domestic abuse.
Unfortunately, Joey was only 14 years old when his mother passed away from an accidental overdose. His two sisters, Liza and Lorna, went on to follow in their mother’s legendary footsteps in the entertainment industry. Joey has also worked as an actor and even produced his show. As of 2024, he is 69 years old and enjoys a private life away from the limelight.
Childhood and Early Life
Image source: Google
Despite living a life under the bright lights of Hollywood, with a successful film producer as a dad and an international star as a mom, Joey Luft had a childhood that was far from perfect. His father reportedly struggled with drunkenness, gambling indebtedness, and domestic abuse.
Meanwhile, Joey’s mother, Judy, had her battle with drugs, alcohol, insomnia, and financial problems. Sometimes, they had no permanent home or steady income for their needs. The whole family was affected by their parents’ marital issues and messy divorce.
In an interview with Closer in 2017, Joey mentioned, “There were times when my mom wasn’t acting right, so I’d ask my dad, ‘Is she sick?’ and he explained it all to me.” Joey stated, “It was tough to deal with as a kid. I was powerless. She was a great person, but she had that addiction.”
Career and Professional Life
Like his two siblings, Joey Luft was a natural under the spotlight. As an actor, it’s safe to assume that he inherited the same acting skills that made his mom, Judy Garland, a global sensation.
He entered the world of showbiz at an early age, appearing alongside his mother and sisters on “The Judy Garland Show” in 1963. He is also known for his work on a TV series called “Great Performances” in 1971 and a podcast series named “The History Chicks” in 2011.
Joey is also known for appearing in the news documentary 60 Minutes. With his sisters, Liza and Lorna, he was present at the 2014 Oscars’ 75th anniversary tribute celebration for his mother’s breakthrough classic film, “The Wizard of Oz.”
Compared to his siblings, Joey describes himself as being “behind the scenes” with “two extroverted sisters.” He studied photography and sound and has experience working as an editor-runner in films and shows. He comments, “I’ve been more behind the camera.”
Joey Luft’s Close Connection With Judy Garland
Despite Judy Garland’s profoundly personal and emotional issues, Joey Luft admires his mom and her unforgettable legacy in the entertainment industry. He sees her as a loving parent, a talented performer, and an individual to be remembered.
When asked about his mom in an interview with Closer in 2017, Joey shared, “She always tried to be there for us, giving us support and lots of love.”
He also said, “There are so many interviews where she was asked, ‘Why do you work so hard?’ and she’d always say, ‘It’s for my children.’”
Joey Luft’s Tribute to His Mom
In an interview, Joey Luft proudly declared, “I can tell stories for days.” He’s using his rare talent to honor his late mother, Judy Garland, through a show of songs and stories called “A Judy Garland Concert With Joey Luft.” The show opened at the Pasadena Playhouse in California.
The event featured precious colorized footage from “The Judy Garland Show.” According to Joey, the colorizing took years because of the amount of detail and work that went into it. He says they cleaned the audio and made the footage look like it was filmed yesterday.
The show also involved Joey Luft sharing funny stories of his mom while he was growing up and an exhibit of Judy Garland’s colorful life and successful career in Hollywood. A collection of her intricate costumes will be displayed, and there will be a Q&A session afterward.
How Many Times Was Judy Garland Married, and Who Were Her Husbands?
Judy Garland was married five times:
David Rose (1941-1944): Judy married her first husband, David Rose, in 1941 when she was just 19 years old. They divorced in 1944.
Vincente Minnelli (1945-1951): The following year, Judy married Vincente Minnelli, the father of her daughter Liza Minnelli. They were married for six years before divorcing in 1951.
Sydney Luft (1952-1965): Judy married her third husband, Sydney Luft, in 1952. He was the father of her children, Lorna and Joey Luft. They divorced in 1965.
Mark Herron (1965-1969): Judy married Mark Herron in 1965, but their marriage ended in 1969.
Mickey Deans (1969): Judy’s final marriage was to Mickey Deans in 1969. Tragically, she died shortly after their marriage, and Mickey was the one who found her dead in their London apartment on June 22, 1969.
