Judy Garland had a famously complex and glamorous life, filled with deep friendships, rivalries, and colorful commentary — and Marlene Dietrich was definitely part of her circle.
- Judy Garland and Marlene Dietrich were part of the same Hollywood and cabaret circuits in the 1950s and ’60s.
- They were reportedly friends — or at the very least, close acquaintances — with mutual admiration for each other’s talent and stage presence.
- Dietrich often supported Garland during some of her more turbulent years and attended her performances.
In Gerald Clarke’s “Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland”, there are references to Dietrich as one of the glamorous, strong women Judy looked up to. Garland admired Dietrich’s style, control, and mystique.
There are also stories suggesting Dietrich gave Judy fashion advice and helped her with stage presence. Some reports say Garland called Dietrich “fabulous” and “a goddess of the stage,” though these are paraphrased recollections from friends, not direct quotes.
On the flip side, Dietrich — ever elegant and poised — reportedly said Judy had “the voice of an angel and the heart of a tragic poet,” admiring her vulnerability and raw emotional power.
Marlene Dietrich and Judy Garland appeared together in the 1961 film, “Judgment at Nuremberg”.
Hollywood lore always swirled with rumors of deeper connections or flirtation between the two, especially given Dietrich’s well-known fluid sexuality and Garland’s affinity with the LGBTQ+ community. Whether those were true or just tabloid titillations — no one really knows.
