Episode 120 - Hollywood, Broadway, and Beyond: A Deep Dive with Lorna Luft

In Part Two of her illuminating conversation with Hollywood Obsessed host Tony Miros , the fabulous Lorna Luft returns with more unforgettable stories from her life on stage and screen. Best known for her roles in “Grease 2” and “Where the Boys Are”, Lorna shares how her iconic Pink Lady jacket was taken by the studio after filming—but eventually found its way back to her. She reflects on playing Paulette, a high schooler who idolized Marilyn Monroe , and recalls a real-life childhood encounter with Monroe herself. She also opens up about a painful on-set experience when her hair was bleached for the role, damaging her scalp and causing her hair to fall out.

Lorna lovingly recounts her relationship with director and choreographer Pat Birch , whose legacy spans “Grease 2” , Broadway, and film. Birch has become like family to her—most recently teaching Lorna’s granddaughter the Hand Jive for a school performance. Lorna also talks about her lasting friendship with co-star Adrian Zmed and the deep bond the “Grease 2” cast still shares. Though the film initially struggled at the box office, she marvels at how it’s become a cult favorite and is proud to be part of something that continues to resonate with fans around the world.

The conversation also delves into her time filming “Where the Boys Are” , a chaotic but memorable shoot in Fort Lauderdale. Lorna fondly recalls her co-stars, the ever-changing script, and a laugh-out-loud story about the film’s misleading poster. She was eight months pregnant at the premiere, having rapidly lost weight for the role—a choice she now sees as unhealthy. Highlights from that period include constant laughter with actor Howard McGillin and recording a disco version of the title song with the Village People , which delighted songwriter Neil Sedaka .

Lorna reflects on the electric energy of Studio 54 and the freedom it offered in the pre-AIDS era, calling it a magical and innocent time. She also shares her complicated friendship with producer Allan Carr , praising his creative vision while acknowledging their falling-out over the infamous Snow White Oscars number. Wrapping up, she talks about her bestselling memoir “Me and My Shadows” , her battle with breast cancer, and her ongoing evolution as a performer. After a recent show at 54 Below with Broadway’s Andrea McArdle , she’s eager to do more—forever fueled by her passion for performing and her love for connecting with audiences.

Lorna Luft

Lorna was born into Hollywood royalty as the daughter of iconic entertainer Judy Garland & film producer Sid Luft , with none other than Frank Sinatra as her godfather. She stepped into the spotlight at age 11, singing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” on The Judy Garland Show alongside her siblings, Liza Minnelli and Joey Luft . A year later, she toured with her family, culminating in a celebrated run at New York’s Palace Theatre—the final time she performed onstage with her mother.

Her stage career took off when she made her Broadway debut in Promises, Promises , written by Neil Simon . Lorna toured the U.S. in They’re Playing Our Song and gained attention for her film debut in Grease 2 , followed by roles in Where the Boys Are '84 and the intense stage drama Extremities . She also embraced television, landing featured roles in Trapper John, M.D. , The Twilight Zone , and Murder, She Wrote , among others.

Lorna continued to shine in musical theatre throughout the '90s and 2000s with standout performances in Guys and Dolls , Follies , Gypsy , and White Christmas . Her powerhouse vocals and stage presence have thrilled audiences across the U.K., Ireland, and the U.S., and she’s headlined concerts at prestigious venues like the Hollywood Bowl , Madison Square Garden , London Palladium , and Carnegie Hall —where she surprised audiences with a duet alongside Rufus Wainwright during his Judy Garland tribute concert.

In 2007, she launched Songs My Mother Taught Me , a multimedia tribute to Judy Garland that toured internationally and was released as an album co-produced by Barry Manilow and Lorna’s husband, Colin R. Freeman . As an author, her memoir Me and My Shadows became an Emmy-winning TV miniseries, and her 2018 book A Star Is Born: Judy Garland and the Film That Got Away , co-written with Jeffrey Vance , offered a deeply personal and historical look at a Hollywood classic.

A tireless advocate, Lorna became a vocal supporter of cancer research and LGBTQ+ causes after her breast cancer diagnosis in 2012. She serves as a founding board member of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative and continues to perform regularly on the cabaret circuit.

Lorna Luft Official Website - http://www.lornaluftonline.com/

TICKETS - Cabaret:An Evening with Lorna Luft  on May 25 at 7 pm - https://theeldredpreserve.com/entertainment/cabaret-an-evening-with-lorna-luft/

The Official Hollywood Obsessed Website - ⁠⁠⁠https://www.hollywoodobsessedthepodcast.com/ ⁠⁠ ⁠

Official Hollywood Obsessed Facebook Page – ⁠⁠⁠HOLLYWOOD OBSESSED PODCAST⁠⁠⁠

Follow our Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/hollywoodobsessedpodcast/⁠

Titles VO Talent – Cam Frierson - ⁠⁠http://camfrierson.com/voice

Music by ⁠⁠ ⁠QubeSounds⁠⁠⁠ from ⁠⁠ Pixabay ⁠⁠⁠