A Love Letter to Liza:

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Producer's Note:

"Liza is a total entertainer, a show person the likes of which is hard to find these days. Liza’s talents have known no bounds, and her contribution to Broadway, film and even a hilarious stint on television’s "Arrested Development," make her so deserving of this, a glorious celebration of her 75 years on Earth. I’m thrilled to be able to do this for Liza, and for her friends and fans in a safe, socially distant way to say we all love you Liza—Happy Birthday Darling!"

- Daniel Nardicio

Liza May Minnelli

Perhaps no three words in the English language better personify show business than Liza May Minnelli. The daughter of legendary film maker Vincent Minnelli and one of the greats of film and stage, Judy Garland, Liza was born 75 years ago today in the veritable home of show business-- Hollywood, California.

It was almost a given, preordained, that the young daughter of such show business royalty would pursue performing. What no one could predict, however, was that Liza Minnelli would conquer stage, screen, records, concerts and later on, even television. She became a nightclub performer at the age of 16, won her first Tony at 19, released three albums through Capitol Records by 20, and received her first Oscar nomination at 24. Liza became a fashion icon in her teens with her signature pixie cut- the result of having to chop her locks when playing around with some friends ended with a wad of gum in her hair. That, plus her red lips and ensembles, made her a muse to designers like Halston, and a creative muse for such Broadway luminaries as John Kander and Fred Ebb, who Liza famously claimed “created her.” 

From Steppin Out to Sex in The City, Tell Me That You Love Me Junie Moon to Arthur, and the role that cemented her into the status of bona fide movie star, Cabaret, Liza Minelli dominated the screen. She received her first Oscar nomination for her riveting performance in the romantic comedy The Sterile Cuckoo. It's been often said that Liza’s infamous telephone scene is one of the greatest performances in film history. She did the scene on her first day on set when production began, in one take with no edits. Liza has said that after doing this scene in one take she knew that she understood the character and that it gave her a lot of confidence as an actress. That confidence was displayed in the role of a lifetime as Sally Bowles in Cabaret. The 1972, Bob Fosse-directed big-screen musical earned eight Oscars, including one for Liza’s work as American expatriate in 1930s Berlin during the rise of Nazism. Her father Vincent Minnelli advised her to not fashion Sally Bowles after Marlene Dietrich, but Louise Brooks instead. The look may have been Brooks, but the performance was pure Liza. 

Creative Team:

Note:

Shot adhering to all COVID safety protocols.

We look forward to seeing you all in person again soon.

Shoutouts from the Stars:

Bonus Features:

Haley Swindal: "Say Yes"

Seth Sikes: "Ring Them Bells"

Tonight's Proceeds:

20% of net proceeds from this event will benefit The Actors Fund.

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that fosters stability and resiliency and provides a safety net for performing arts and entertainment professionals over their lifespan. Through offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Fund serves everyone in film, theater, television, music, opera, radio and dance with programs including social services and emergency financial assistance, health care and insurance counseling, housing, and secondary employment and training services.

Since March 18, 2020, The Actors Fund has provided more than $19 million+ in emergency financial assistance to over 15,000+ people who work in performing arts and entertainment. With shutdowns on Broadway and in film and television, theater, concerts, dance, music and many other areas of entertainment, the need is great and growing. This emergency financial assistance is helping our most vulnerable and those in financial crisis to cover basic living expenses, such as food, essential medications, utilities and more.

The Actors Fund’s phone and web-based services around career and life, health and wellness, and housing remain available to the entertainment and performing arts community. These services include: Artists Health Insurance Resource Center, The Career Center, The Dancers’ Resource, Housing Resources, Addiction & Recovery, HIV/AIDS, Women’s Health and Senior Services, Counseling and Emergency Financial Assistance and more. To make a tax-deductible donation to The Actors Fund, visit www.actorsfund.org.

Thank you to:

Michael Albertson, Jason Alexander, Jennifer Allen, Molly Barnett, Joseph Benincasa, Jane Berliner, Sandra Bernhard, Stephanie J Block, Bradford Bricken, Marie Bshara, Carol Burnett, Charles Busch, Mario Cantone, Lionel Casseroux, Jim Caruso, Paul Cilione, Joan Collins, Harry Connick Jr., Ava Delany, Lea DeLaria, Brian Dubin, Mia Farrow, Michael Feinstein, Craig Ferguson, Cody Fletcher, Kristen Foster, Kenna Morris Garcia, Christine Gardner, Devin Getz, Kathie Lee Gifford, Eric Gilliand, Jessica Lee Goldyn, Joel Grey, Kathy Griffin, Jonathan Groff, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Guarracino , Nicole Guest, Tony Hale, Julie Halston, George Harrison, Ron Hoffman, Coulby Jenkins, John Kander, Judy Katz, Nicholas King, Hoda Kotb, Jane Krakowski, Nathan Lane, Michele Lee, Ute Lemper, Colby Lindeman, Lorna Luft, Amy Lynn, Cheryl Maisel, Melissa Manchester, Jim Mannino, Andrea Martin, David McKeown, Jane McKnight, Neil Meron, Spencer Mindich, Rick Miramontez, John Cameron Mitchell, Lisa Mordante, Kenneth Michael Murray, Kathy Najimy, Monique Nancarrow, Sydney Narvaez, Michael Orland, Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Perna, Coco Peru, Bernadette Peters, Matt Polk, Parker Posey, Douglas Ramirez, Andrew Rannells, Chita Rivera, Tina Rock, Seth Sikes, Alex Spieller, John Stamos, Albert Stephenson, Barbra Streisand, Ned Stressen Reuter, Billy Stritch, Susan Stroman, Haley Swindal, Lily Tomlin, Cara Tripicchio, Jenny Tversky, Ben Vereen, Trey Witter, Michael York, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Special thanks to:

Pete Sanders and O&M, BroadwayWorld, Dancers Over 40, Nicole Rosky, Nicole Fosse, Mary Callahan, The Verdon Fosse Legacy, Rocky Noel, Terrence Flannery, Pamela Cooper, Robert Anthony Piper, Jim Caruso, and Steve Walter & The Cutting Room.

Artwork by Squigs.

Liza Masks and Posters!

Celebrate Liza's Birthday for the rest of the year with a "Love Letter To Liza: 75th Birthday Celebration Tribute" mask and poster. For a limited time only!

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