The Tragic Truth Of Oz: 7 Shocking Secrets About The Wizard Of Oz Cast And Where They Are Now (2025 Update)

The enduring magic of The Wizard of Oz, which first premiered in 1939, continues to captivate new generations, but the story behind the yellow brick road is far darker and more complex than the Technicolor fantasy suggests. As the film celebrates its 85th anniversary, with a new 4K UHD release and limited theatrical runs keeping the classic relevant in late 2024 and 2025, the legacy of its original cast—from the legendary Judy Garland to the hundreds of Munchkin actors—is being re-examined. This article dives into the full cast list, their lives after Oz, and the shocking on-set secrets that reveal the true cost of Hollywood's most beloved production.

The film's timeless appeal is rooted in the unforgettable performances of its stars. However, the production was plagued by severe injuries, dangerous makeup, and the tragic personal struggles of its lead actress. The current wave of anniversary celebrations offers a fresh look at the triumphs and tribulations of the actors who brought Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion to life, cementing their places in cinema history.

The Principal Cast: Full Biography and Post-Oz Legacy

The core of The Wizard of Oz lies with its six main actors, each of whom faced unique challenges during and after the production. Their collective legacy forms a crucial part of Hollywood's Golden Age, but their lives were often marked by the intense pressure of their iconic roles.

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• Judy Garland (Dorothy Gale): Born Frances Ethel Gumm (June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969). Garland became an instant icon for her performance and her rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Her post-Oz career included major roles in films like Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) and A Star Is Born (1954), earning her an Academy Award nomination. Tragically, her life was marred by studio pressure, drug dependency, and financial troubles, leading to her death from an accidental overdose at age 47. She remains one of the most celebrated and tragic figures in entertainment history.
• Frank Morgan (The Wizard of Oz / Professor Marvel): Born Francis Phillip Wuppermann (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949). Morgan played five different roles in the film. A highly respected character actor, he continued to appear in films like The Shop Around the Corner (1940) and The Human Comedy (1943) until his death from a heart attack ten years after Oz's release.
• Ray Bolger (The Scarecrow / Hunk): Born Raymond Wallace Bulcao (January 10, 1904 – January 15, 1987). Bolger was a famed dancer and vaudevillian. He was originally cast as the Tin Man but insisted on playing the Scarecrow. He had a long and successful career in Broadway, television, and film, continuing to perform well into his 70s. He was the last of the four main stars to pass away.
• Jack Haley (The Tin Man / Hickory): Born John Joseph Haley (August 10, 1898 – June 6, 1979). Haley was the second actor to play the Tin Man after Buddy Ebsen suffered a severe reaction to the original makeup. A comedian and singer, Haley appeared in many musicals and hosted a television show. His son, Jack Haley Jr., became a notable film director and producer.
• Bert Lahr (The Cowardly Lion / Zeke): Born Irving Lahrheim (August 13, 1895 – December 4, 1967). Lahr was a legendary Broadway comedian and vaudeville star whose distinctive voice and mannerisms defined the Cowardly Lion. He continued a successful stage and screen career, including a Tony Award win, until his death from pneumonia in 1967.
• Margaret Hamilton (The Wicked Witch of the West / Miss Gulch): Born Margaret Hamilton (December 9, 1902 – May 16, 1985). A former schoolteacher, Hamilton’s terrifying performance made her the definitive movie witch. Despite the villainous role, she was known for her kind nature in real life. Post-Oz, she had a prolific career in television and was a notable spokesperson for Maxwell House coffee.
• Billie Burke (Glinda the Good Witch): Born Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke (August 7, 1884 – May 14, 1970). A celebrated stage and screen actress, Burke was known for her glamorous and often flighty roles. She continued to work in film and radio after Oz.

The Dark Side of Technicolor: On-Set Injuries and Controversies

Despite its family-friendly facade, the set of The Wizard of Oz was a dangerous workplace, plagued by controversies and severe injuries that today would halt production. The film’s pioneering use of special effects and makeup came at a high cost to the cast's health and safety, revealing a shocking lack of care by modern standards.

The Poisoned Tin Man: The Buddy Ebsen Ordeal

The role of the Tin Man was originally given to actor Buddy Ebsen, a decision that nearly cost him his life. Ebsen was forced to drop out of the film after just nine days of shooting due to a severe allergic reaction to the character’s makeup. The original Tin Man makeup was not a paste but a fine dust made of pure aluminum powder. Ebsen inhaled the powder, which coated his lungs and left him hospitalized in critical condition. He suffered from breathing difficulties for years afterward. Jack Haley, who replaced him, wore a thick aluminum paste instead, avoiding the same fate, though the makeup was still uncomfortable and difficult to apply.

Margaret Hamilton's Fiery Accident

The most shocking on-set incident involved Margaret Hamilton, the Wicked Witch of the West. During the filming of her dramatic exit from Munchkinland in a burst of smoke, the special effects rig malfunctioned. The trap door mechanism was too slow, and the blast of fire and smoke erupted while Hamilton was still descending. She suffered severe third-degree burns on her hands and second-degree burns on her face. Her recovery was slow, and she refused to film the scene where the Witch is doused with water, fearing further danger, leading to a stand-in completing the shot. Her stunt double, Betty Danko, was also later injured in a separate smoke effect incident.

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Fake Snow and Toxic Dust

One of the most bizarre and dangerous production choices was the material used for the snow in the scene where Dorothy and her friends are resting after the Wicked Witch's spell. To achieve a realistic look on camera, the crew used 100% pure white asbestos. Asbestos, a known carcinogen, was a common stage material at the time, but its use on a film set, especially around the main cast, highlights the extreme health risks taken during the production of The Wizard of Oz.

The Munchkins: Unfair Pay and Lasting Legacy

The over 120 little people cast to play the Munchkins—the residents of Munchkinland—are an inseparable part of the film's legacy. However, their experience on set was also fraught with difficulty, including financial exploitation and poor treatment.

The actors who portrayed the Munchkins were largely members of a theatrical troupe known as the Singer Midgets, managed by Leo Singer. Shockingly, reports indicate that the Munchkin actors were often paid less than Toto, the Cairn Terrier who played Dorothy's dog. Toto's weekly salary was a reported $125, while many of the Munchkin actors received only $50 per week. Furthermore, their agent, Leo Singer, was accused of exploiting them and taking a significant cut of their meager pay.

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Despite the difficult working conditions, the Munchkin actors formed a bond that lasted a lifetime. The last surviving Munchkin actor from the film's production, Jerry Maren (a member of the Lollipop Guild), passed away in 2018 at the age of 98. However, a few background cast members and doubles from the production, such as Caren Marsh Doll, Judy Garland's stand-in, are still alive as of late 2024, keeping a direct link to the film's golden age.

The Wizard of Oz: 85th Anniversary and Current Relevance (2025)

The film's enduring popularity is highlighted by the recent celebration of its 85th anniversary. Released in 1939, the film's milestone anniversary has sparked renewed interest and a fresh wave of media coverage in 2024 and 2025, proving that the classic is far from fading into history.

The 85th anniversary was marked by a limited-time return to select movie theaters across the country, allowing modern audiences to experience the film's stunning Technicolor on the big screen. Furthermore, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment released a special 85th Anniversary 4K UHD Theater Edition Giftset in late 2024, offering the film in its highest-ever quality for home viewing. This release not only appeals to lifelong fans but also introduces the film’s iconic cast and story to a new generation of viewers, ensuring the legacy of Judy Garland and her co-stars continues to shine.

The success of the Broadway musical Wicked, a prequel to The Wizard of Oz, also keeps the original film in the cultural conversation. The upcoming two-part film adaptation of Wicked, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, further solidifies the original cast's place as the foundation of the entire Oz universe. The tragic, complicated, and iconic lives of the 1939 cast are a reminder that the greatest works of art often come with the most compelling, and sometimes darkest, behind-the-scenes stories.