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The Last Of The Lollipop Guild: 7 Shocking Facts And The Final Surviving Munchkins From The Wizard Of Oz

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The legacy of the Munchkins from the 1939 classic *The Wizard of Oz* continues to captivate audiences, especially as the film approaches its 86th anniversary. While the era of the original cast is drawing to a close, as of late 2025, a few of the background actors who brought Munchkinland to vibrant life are still with us, offering a direct link to one of Hollywood’s most magical and myth-shrouded productions. The stories from the set are a complex mix of Hollywood glamour, shocking working conditions, and persistent, often salacious, rumors that have followed the cast for decades. The group of 124 actors, primarily from the touring company known as the Singer Midgets, were central to the film's iconic opening act. Their time on the MGM lot was fraught with both professional triumphs and personal hardships. This article delves into the current status of the surviving cast and separates the fantastical on-screen magic from the often brutal reality of their experiences behind the scenes.

The Last Surviving Munchkins and Notable Cast Biographies

The original cast of Munchkin actors numbered 124, drawn primarily from the Singer Midgets troupe. While the actors with speaking roles have all passed away, a few of the background performers, who were children at the time of filming, remain as the final living links to Munchkinland. The "last surviving Munchkin" is a title often contested, but recent reports confirm a few non-speaking actors are still alive, including Priscilla Montgomery Clark. Here is a list of the most notable Munchkin actors and the final surviving members:
  • Priscilla Montgomery Clark (The Final Surviving Munchkin)
    • Born: July 19, 1929 (Currently 96 in 2025)
    • Role in *Oz*: Background Fill Munchkin (Child Actor)
    • Biography: Clark was nine years old when she was cast as a child Munchkin in the film. She was one of the youngest members of the cast and has since become one of the last remaining actors from the film, often participating in anniversary events to share her unique perspective on the production.
  • Valerie Lee
    • Born: 1931 (Currently 94 in 2025)
    • Role in *Oz*: Background Fill Munchkin (Child Actor)
    • Biography: Lee is another of the final surviving child actors who appeared as a non-speaking Munchkin in the film. She and Clark are often cited together as the last living members of the Munchkin cast.
  • Jerry Maren (Last Surviving Male Munchkin with Dialogue)
    • Born: January 24, 1920 | Died: May 24, 2018 (Age 98)
    • Role in *Oz*: Member of the Lollipop Guild (The one who hands Dorothy the lollipop)
    • Biography: Maren was perhaps the most famous Munchkin actor in his later years, often considered the "last surviving Munchkin" until his death in 2018. His iconic moment was his role in the Lollipop Guild, which cemented his place in cinematic history.
  • Meinhardt Raabe (The Coroner)
    • Born: September 16, 1915 | Died: April 9, 2010 (Age 94)
    • Role in *Oz*: The Coroner (The one who famously declares the Wicked Witch of the East "most sincerely dead")
    • Biography: Raabe was the last surviving cast member with any dialogue in the film, a title he held until his death. His line is one of the most memorable in *Munchkinland*.
  • Margaret Pellegrini (The Flowerpot Munchkin)
    • Born: September 23, 1923 | Died: August 7, 2013 (Age 89)
    • Role in *Oz*: Flowerpot Munchkin and Sleepyhead Munchkin
    • Biography: Pellegrini was an active participant in *Wizard of Oz* conventions for decades, sharing her stories and helping to honor the entire cast of 124 Munchkins.

The Dark Side of the Yellow Brick Road: Unpacking the Myths and Realities

The on-set experience for the Munchkin actors was far from the colorful fantasy portrayed on screen. For decades, rumors—many of them salacious and shocking—have circulated about the actors' behavior. While some stories were exaggerated, the truth about their working conditions and treatment sheds a sobering light on classic Hollywood's practices.

Myth vs. Reality: The Wild Rumors and the Suicide Hoax

The most persistent and shocking rumors about the Munchkin actors often involve tales of drunken, rowdy, and "sex-crazed" behavior during their stay at a Culver City hotel. These stories were perpetuated by various sources over the years, including the Cowardly Lion actor Bert Lahr's biographer. The reality, however, is that while some of the adult actors from the European vaudeville circuit did drink and party, the vast majority were professionals simply trying to do their jobs. The group included many children, like Priscilla Montgomery Clark, and families who were chaperoned, making the widespread "sex-crazed" narrative a gross generalization and a Hollywood myth designed to sensationalize the production. Another enduring myth is the claim that a Munchkin actor committed suicide by hanging themselves on set, with their body visible in the background of a scene. This is unequivocally false. The dark, moving shape seen in the background of the forest set is a large crane or a large bird (possibly a stork) that was part of the set dressing, not an actor. This morbid rumor is a prime example of how the film's production has been distorted over time.

Shocking Pay Disparity and On-Set Treatment

One of the most documented and genuinely shocking facts about the Munchkin actors was their pay. The 124 actors were reportedly paid only $50 per week for their work, a staggering disparity when compared to the $125 per week received by Toto, the Cairn Terrier who played Dorothy's dog. Furthermore, the actors faced poor treatment on set. Many of the actors were members of the Singer Midgets, a troupe organized by Leo Singer, who acted as their agent and reportedly cheated them out of some of their earnings. The crew often treated the actors poorly, and the entire group was subject to strict, sometimes demeaning, rules and working conditions that reflected the harsh realities of the studio system during the 1930s.

The Enduring Topical Authority of Munchkinland

Despite the controversies and the passage of time, the Munchkins remain one of the most beloved and recognizable elements of *The Wizard of Oz*. The film's enduring popularity, which has led to numerous stage adaptations, West End productions, and even the successful prequel *Wicked*, ensures that the citizens of Munchkinland hold a permanent place in pop culture. The actors who portrayed the Munchkins, whether they had dialogue like the Mayor or Coroner, or were non-speaking background fillers like Priscilla Montgomery Clark and Valerie Lee, collectively created a magical moment in cinema. Their performance of "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" is an iconic musical number that captures the pure, unadulterated joy of the land of the Munchkins. The effort to honor the original cast has continued through various events, including a star dedication on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The stories shared by the last surviving actors, like Clark, ensure that the human experience behind the fantasy of the Emerald City and the Yellow Brick Road is not forgotten. As we celebrate the film's continuing legacy, we honor the 124 individuals who traveled from all over the world to bring L. Frank Baum's vision to life, forever reminding us that there's no place like home.
wizard of oz munchkins
wizard of oz munchkins

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