Lorna Luft Biography
Lorna Luft is an accomplished American actress, author, and singer, known for her talents in the entertainment industry. She comes from a notable lineage, being the daughter of Judy Garland and Sidney Luft, and the sibling of Joey Luft. Additionally, she shares a familial connection with the renowned entertainer Liza Minnelli, as her half-sister.
Lorna Luft Age | How Old Is Lorna Luft?
Luft was born on November 21, 1952, in Santa Monica, California, United States of America. She is 71 years old as of 2023. Furthermore, she celebrates her birthday on November 21 every year.
Lorna Luft Height
Luft is an American television, stage, and film actress who stands at a height of 5 feet 4 inches (1.63 m) tall.
Lorna Luft Family | Lorna Luft Joey Luft | Lorna Luft Father
Luft was born in Santa Monica, California to a famous performer Judy Garland, and producer husband Sidney Luft. She has three siblings, Joey Luft, John Michael Luft, and Andrew Luft. She has a half-sister singer and actress Liza Minnelli.
Lorna Luft Education
Luft attended University High School in Los Angeles. Later, she pursued theater studies at HB Studio in New York City. Her mother was famous for ‘The Judy Garland Show,’ and Luft’s introduction to show business came through an appearance on the show. Inspired by the glamour of cameras and lights, she decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps.
As a teenager, Luft made her Broadway debut in 1967 alongside her mother in the show titled ‘At Home at Palace,’ captivating the audience with their duets. Tragically, this performance marked their only collaboration, as Judy passed away in 1969.
Lorna Luft Liza Minnelli
Luft and Minnelli are both successful entertainers in their own right, but they are also known for being the daughters of the legendary Judy Garland. They have both spoken openly about the challenges and rewards of growing up in the shadow of their famous mother.
In 2006, Luft and Minnelli co-starred in the miniseries “Life with Judy Garland”, which chronicled their mother’s life and career. They have also performed together on numerous occasions, including a 2004 tribute to Garland at Carnegie Hall. Luft and Minnelli are both close friends and confidantes. They have supported each other through thick and thin, and they remain a source of strength and inspiration for each other.
Lorna Luft Husband
Luft has been married twice: Her first husband was Jake Hooker (also known as Jerry Mamberg). They were married in 1977 and divorced in 1993. They have two children together, Jesse and Vanessa. Her current husband is Colin Freeman. They were married in 1996 and are still together. He is a British-born composer and arranger.
Lorna Luft Children | Lorna Luft Daughter
Luft has two daughters. Vanessa O’Neil (born 1989): She is married to Patrick O’Neil and they have two sons, Kieran and Logan. O’Neil has acted in a few films and television shows, but she is primarily a writer and producer. Jesse Hooker (born 1968): He is a musician and composer. He has released several albums of his music, and he has also worked as a session musician for other artists.
Lorna Luft Career
Two years after her mother passed away, Lorna made her Broadway debut in 1971 with ‘Promises, Promises’. Adapted from the popular Billy Wilder film ‘The Apartment (1960), the play was staged at the Shubert Theatre. Immersed in the world of theater, Lorna found solace and healing from the pain of her mother’s death. In the early 1980s, Lorna embarked on a national tour of Broadway’s ‘They Are Playing Our Song’. The following year marked her film debut in the musical romantic comedy ‘Grease 2’.
Her career flourished throughout the 1980s, with a string of notable performances. She starred in ‘Extremities’ on stage and appeared in an off-Broadway production of ‘Snoopy!’. Venturing into television, she made a cameo in the final episode of ‘Trapper John, M.D.’ and guest-starred in an episode of ‘Murder, She Wrote’ in 1985. Continuing into the early 1990s, she toured with ‘Guys and Dolls’, earning praise for her exceptional acting, singing, and commanding stage presence.
Lorna Luft Net Worth
Luft is an American actress and singer who has an estimated net worth of $500 thousand.
Lorna Luft Grease 2
Luft played the role of Paulette Rebchuck in the 1982 musical film Grease 2, the sequel to the highly successful 1978 film Grease. Paulette is a member of the Pink Ladies, a group of girls who are the rivals of the T-Birds, the greaser gang led by Johnny Nogerelli (Maxwell Caulfield). She is best friends with Stephanie Zinone (Michelle Pfeiffer), the Pink Lady leader, and is initially romantically involved with T-Bird member Johnny.
Throughout the film, Paulette transforms, becoming more assertive and independent. She eventually realizes that Johnny is not the right guy for her and breaks up with him. She also develops a close friendship with Michael Carrington (Adam Rich), a new student at Rydell High School who is initially ostracized by the T-Birds but eventually earns their respect.
Lorna Luft Author
Luft, author of the 1998 memoir titled Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir, made headlines with revelations about her 1971 affair with Barry Manilow. This book was later adapted into an Emmy-winning TV miniseries titled Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows in 2001.
The miniseries featured Judy Davis as the adult Judy Garland, Tammy Blanchard as the teenage Judy, Hugh Laurie as Vincente Minnelli, Victor Garber as Sid Luft, and Marsha Mason as Ethel Gumm. Additionally, Luft co-authored the 2018 book A Star Is Born: Judy Garland and the Film That Got Away, along with film historian Jeffrey Vance. The book provides a detailed account of the production, loss, and eventual reclamation of the film classic.
Lorna Luft Book
- A Star Is Born (Turner Classic Movies): Judy Garland and the Film That Got Away: 2018
- Me and My Shadows: A Family Memoir 1998
Lorna Luft Health
On December 17, 2012, Luft discovered a lump on her right breast. “I was in total denial”, she said. Three weeks later, her radiographer informed her that she had grade-2A breast cancer. She called her close friend, Barry Manilow, who connected her with cancer specialist David Agus. After reviewing the tests, Agus told her, “I’m looking at your biopsy and I can tell you right now, Lorna, you’re going to be okay.” To save her breast, she opted for a lumpectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation. She completed her final chemotherapy treatment in 2013.
In June 2015, he revealed that her cancer had reemerged. Consequently, the UK tour of Judy – The Songbook of Judy Garland concluded early on July 11, and she returned to the United States for surgical treatment. In March 2018, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor after collapsing following a London performance. In late March, Luft underwent surgery to remove the brain tumor. The surgery was successful, and he has since recovered.
Lorna Luft Social Media Platforms
Luft is active on her social media pages, she has 13.8k Followers on her Instagram, 36k Followers on her Facebook, and 3.8k Followers on her Twitter.