Joey Luft
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Joey Luft | |
|---|---|
 Luft in 2022 | |
| Born | March 29, 1955 |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1963–present |
| Parents | |
| Relatives | Liza Minnelli (half sister) Lorna Luft (sister) |
Joseph "Joey" Wiley Luft[1] (born March 29, 1955) is an American preservationist and producer best known for his work honoring and preserving the legacy of his mother, Judy Garland. Having a prominent show business family, Luft made occasional appearances on his mother's television series, The Judy Garland Show, but generally maintained a lower public profile than his siblings, Liza Minnelli and Lorna Luft.
Life and career
[edit]Luft was born in Los Angeles, California, during his mother’s marriage to her third husband, Sidney Luft. His childhood was marked by the highs and lows of Garland's struggles with substance abuse. After his mother died in 1969, Luft, then 14, largely retreated from the public eye. He occasionally worked behind the scenes in theatre management and as a producer.[citation needed]
Growing up as the son of Garland, Luft faced challenges related to his mother’s widely reported struggles with addiction. Reflecting on his childhood, he recalled times when Garland's behavior was difficult to understand.
“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 said. “It was exceptionally hard to deal with as a kid. I was powerless. She was a great person, but she had that addiction”.
Despite these challenges, Joey fondly remembers Garland's kindness and dedication to her family, which influenced his later efforts to honor her legacy through various preservation and tribute projects.
In later years, Luft focused on preserving his mother's legacy. He participated in special projects and documentaries celebrating Garland’s life, such as contributing to live shows like A Judy Garland Concert with Joey Luft, where he shared personal stories and insights about his mother, or documentary projects featuring family footage and his reflections on growing up with Garland.[2] Through his appearances and advocacy, he has contributed to raising awareness about the challenges associated with substance abuse and mental health.[3][4]
Credits
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | I Could Go On Singing | Boat Passanger | Film | |
| 1963 | The Judy Garland Show | Himself | Television | |
| 2014 | A Judy Garland Concert with Joey Luft | Producer & Performer | Theatere | [5] |
| 2019 | Sid & Judy | Himself | Documentary |
References
[edit]- ^ "Joey Luft - Facts, Bio, Favorites, Info, Family, 2021 | Sticky Facts". Sticky Facts.
- ^ "What Happened To Judy Garland's Children?". Grunge. December 29, 2021.
- ^ "Judy Garland's Children: Everything To Know About Her 3 Kids". Hollywood Life. May 6, 2022.
- ^ "Joey Luft: Living in The Shadow and Light of Judy Garland". News Knol. December 21, 2023.
- ^ "Judy Garland's Star is Reborn Through Joey Luft's Show". Palm Springs Life. October 20, 2014.