Liza May Minnelli (/ˈlaɪzə mɪˈnɛli/; born March 12, 1946) is an American actress and singer. Primarily known for her Academy Award-winning role as Sally Bowles in the 1972 musical film Cabaret directed by Bob Fosse, she is noted for her energetic stage presence and her powerful contralto singing voice.
Minnelli is the daughter of film actress and singer Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli. Moving to New York City in 1961, she began her career as a musical theatre actress, nightclub performer and traditional pop recording artist, and gave her professional stage debut in the 1963 Off-Broadway revival of Best Foot Forward. In 1965 she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Flora the Red Menace, becoming the youngest ever recipient in this category. Flora marked the beginning of her lifelong collaboration with the show's composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb, who would write, produce or direct many of Minnelli's stage acts and TV shows. Ebb helped create Minnelli′s stage persona of a stylized survivalist, including her career-defining performances of anthems of survival ("New York, New York", "Cabaret", "Maybe This Time").