Judy Garland Base Salary for The Wizard of Oz
Judy Garland was paid a fixed weekly salary of $500 during principal photography for The Wizard of Oz, which ran from October 1938 to March 1939 under MGM production oversight source. This translated to roughly $10,000 to $12,000 for the entire shoot, a modest sum by studio-era standards for a child star under long-term contract source.
Her compensation was governed by a standard MGM contract that gave the studio control over her services, image, and future projects, a structure common for young performers at the time source. The contract did not include profit participation or backend points for the film itself, meaning her base pay remained the primary guaranteed income from the production.
Back End Points, Profit Participation, and Ongoing Earnings
No Backend Points in the Original Contract
Judy Garland did not receive backend points or profit participation in The Wizard of Oz under her original MGM deal, a fact that has been widely documented in biographies and studio histories source. Unlike some top-tier stars who negotiated a percentage of gross or net profits, Garland’s compensation remained strictly fixed at the agreed weekly rate.
Later Renegotiation and Personal Earnings
After her MGM contract was not renewed, Garland pursued independent film and concert work, earning higher fees on individual projects, but these were separate from Wizard of Oz earnings source. Her personal financial management and career choices in the 1940s and 1950s shaped her overall net worth more than any single film payment.
Legacy Earnings, Licensing Revenue, and Current Valuation
How The Wizard of Oz Generates Ongoing Income
The Wizard of Oz continues to generate revenue through television broadcast rights, home video, streaming licensing, and merchandise, with the core rights historically controlled by MGM and later by Warner Bros. source. Judy Garland’s estate and heirs have not received direct backend compensation from the film’s licensing, as the original contract did not include profit-sharing provisions.
Modern Valuation and Public Perception
Modern estimates of Judy Garland’s total career earnings place her among the most recognized performers of the studio era, but her Wizard of Oz compensation remains a fixed historical figure rather than a growing revenue stream