Liza Minnelli’s Memoir Reveals a Life Among Hollywood Legends

As the daughter of Judy Garland and Vincente Minnelli, Liza Minnelli has spent her life immersed in the world of celebrity. Her new memoir, Kids, Wait Till You Hear This!, offers a glimpse into a childhood surrounded by Hollywood’s elite, from Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart to Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby.

A Childhood Among Stars

Minnelli recounts growing up alongside the children of other famous figures, including Mia Farrow, Candace Bergen, and Lana Turner’s daughter, Cheryl Crane. She fondly remembers attending house parties with Henry Mancini and Marilyn Monroe, and even trick-or-treating at Gene Kelly’s house while dressed as the Wicked Witch of the West. “To outsiders, this was a fairy-tale world,” she writes, “But we kids had no idea our lives were unique. There was nothing to compare it to.”

The “Original Nepo Baby” and a Complicated Relationship with Fame

Minnelli jokingly refers to herself as “the original nepo baby,” acknowledging the advantages of her famous parentage. However, her memoir also reveals the challenges she faced growing up in the shadow of her mother’s immense fame. She describes a childhood that was both magical and difficult, noting that her mother initially questioned her pursuit of a career in show business before reluctantly supporting her.

Celebrity Encounters Detailed in the Memoir

Minnelli’s world expanded as she matured, and her circle of friends included fashion designer Halston, artist Andy Warhol, and composer Marvin Hamlisch. Her memoir details a series of notable relationships and encounters with some of the biggest names in entertainment.

Frank Sinatra: “Uncle Frank” and a Passionate Connection with Judy Garland

Minnelli knew Frank Sinatra as “Uncle Frank,” and he appears frequently in her memoir. When she decided to move to New York City as a teenager, Sinatra offered her a check for $500, which she declined to cash, wanting to establish herself independently. The memoir also reveals a “passionate love” between Sinatra and her mother, Judy Garland, in the 1950s, describing it as more than just an “affair.”

Later, Minnelli toured with Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. As a replacement for Dean Martin. While their relationship deepened, she also notes Sinatra’s tendency to be difficult, recalling that she would leave the room when he was in a bad mood.

Randy Newman: A Rising Star

Minnelli helped launch the career of songwriter Randy Newman, giving him a boost by including three of his songs on her self-titled fourth studio album.

Bob Fosse: A Fiery Collaboration

Minnelli describes a strong connection with Bob Fosse during the filming of Cabaret in 1972. “Did we get physically close? It would have been impossible not to,” she writes, acknowledging a “chemistry” and “sexual energy” between them.

Peter Sellers: A Volatile Romance

In 1973, Minnelli began a romance with actor Peter Sellers while engaged to Desi Arnaz Jr. She publicly ended her engagement to Arnaz Jr. After meeting Sellers, but their relationship quickly became turbulent. Minnelli claims Sellers would scold, taunt, and bully her, adopting various characters to express his volatile emotions.

Gene Hackman: A Lack of Chemistry

Minnelli starred alongside Gene Hackman in the 1975 film Lucky Lady, but she reports a lack of chemistry between them. She notes that the director, Stanley Donen, later acknowledged Hackman’s dismissive behavior towards her during filming.

Martin Scorsese: An Affair and a Cold Shoulder

While married to Jack Haley Jr., Minnelli had an affair with Martin Scorsese on the set of New York, New York in 1977. She recounts an incident where Scorsese confronted her about an alleged encounter with Mikhail Baryshnikov. Years later, she claims Scorsese turned away from her at the Oscars ceremony in 2014.

Elizabeth Taylor: A Supportive Friend

Elizabeth Taylor played a significant role in Minnelli’s life, attending her third and fourth weddings and staging an intervention during one of Minnelli’s struggles with sobriety.

Gene Simmons: A Pop Music Connection

Kiss frontman Gene Simmons encouraged Minnelli to pursue a more pop-oriented sound, connecting her with Epic Records and leading to the release of her 1989 album, Results, with the Pet Shop Boys.

Princess Diana: A Shared Connection

Minnelli formed a friendship with Princess Diana, finding moments to connect and share their lives over tea. She felt a strong instinct to protect the Princess.

Michael Jackson: A Dance Collaboration

Minnelli claims she helped Michael Jackson develop his signature “moonwalk” dance after seeing dancers perform a similar slide in Brazil and sharing it with him.