The Last Of Oz: 7 Shocking Secrets And Where The Wizard Of Oz Actors Are Now In 2025

The 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz, remains one of the most beloved and enduring films in cinema history, yet the lives of its iconic cast were often anything but a fairy tale. As of late 2025, the film’s legacy is once again in the news following the recent passing of one of the last surviving actors who played a Munchkin, reminding fans just how much time has passed since Dorothy first clicked her heels. The film’s enduring popularity continues to fascinate new generations, especially as dark, behind-the-scenes stories and the fates of its central stars come to light, revealing a much more complicated journey down the yellow brick road than anyone could have imagined.

This article explores the complete biographies of the main cast, details the few surviving members of the production, and uncovers the shocking controversies and grueling conditions the actors—especially a young Judy Garland—faced during the making of the timeless Technicolor masterpiece.

The Iconic Cast: Complete Biographies of the Main Stars

The principal cast of The Wizard of Oz were seasoned professionals, mostly veterans of vaudeville and Broadway, whose performances cemented their places in Hollywood history. Sadly, all the main stars have since passed away, but their legacies continue through their incredible work.

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• Judy Garland (Dorothy Gale)
  • Born: Frances Ethel Gumm, June 10, 1922, Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
  • Died: June 22, 1969 (Aged 47), London, England.
  • Career Highlights: A legendary actress and singer, Garland was a major star of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Her career was marked by her powerful voice and dramatic roles, including her Oscar-nominated performance in A Star Is Born (1954). She was the mother of actress and singer Liza Minnelli.
  • Cause of Death: Accidental overdose of barbiturates.
• Ray Bolger (The Scarecrow/Hunk)
  • Born: Raymond Wallace Bolger, January 10, 1904, Dorchester, Massachusetts.
  • Died: January 15, 1987 (Aged 83), Los Angeles, California.
  • Career Highlights: Known primarily for his fluid, rubber-legged dancing style, Bolger was a highly successful vaudevillian and Broadway star before Hollywood. He famously insisted on playing the Scarecrow, the role he felt he was born for.
  • Cause of Death: Bladder cancer.
• Jack Haley (The Tin Woodman/Hickory)
  • Born: John Joseph Haley Jr., August 10, 1897, Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Died: June 6, 1979 (Aged 81), Los Angeles, California.
  • Career Highlights: An American actor, comedian, and singer, Haley was known for his genial, easy-going persona. He was a last-minute replacement for Buddy Ebsen, who suffered a severe allergic reaction to the original aluminum dust makeup intended for the Tin Man.
  • Cause of Death: Heart attack.
• Bert Lahr (The Cowardly Lion/Zeke)
  • Born: Irving Lahrheim, August 13, 1895, New York, New York.
  • Died: December 4, 1967 (Aged 72), New York, New York.
  • Career Highlights: A highly respected stage and screen actor, Lahr was a master of burlesque and vaudeville comedy. His signature roar and comedic timing as the Cowardly Lion remain one of the most recognizable performances in film history.
  • Cause of Death: Pneumonia.
• Margaret Hamilton (The Wicked Witch of the West/Miss Gulch)
  • Born: Margaret Brainard Hamilton, December 9, 1902, Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Died: May 16, 1985 (Aged 82), Salisbury, Connecticut.
  • Career Highlights: Before becoming the definitive Wicked Witch, Hamilton was a former schoolteacher. She embraced her villainous role but spent much of her later career reassuring children that she was a kind person in real life.
  • Cause of Death: Heart attack.
• Frank Morgan (The Wizard/Professor Marvel/Multiple Roles)
  • Born: Francis Philip Wuppermann, June 1, 1890, New York, New York.
  • Died: September 18, 1949 (Aged 59), Beverly Hills, California.
  • Career Highlights: A versatile character actor, Morgan played five different roles in the film, showcasing his range. He had a successful career in early Hollywood, often playing befuddled or eccentric characters.
  • Cause of Death: Heart attack.

The Last Survivors: Where Are The Wizard of Oz Actors Now in 2025?

Given the film was released in 1939, it is an astonishing testament to longevity that a few individuals who worked on the production are still alive today in 2025. These surviving members were not the main stars, but crucial parts of the ensemble and production crew.

A Recent Loss: Elaine Merk Binder (1930–2025)

The world of Oz fans mourned a significant loss in late 2025 with the passing of Elaine Merk Binder, one of the last surviving actors who played a Munchkin in the film. While the exact number of surviving Munchkin actors has always been debated due to the large, uncredited background cast, her death marks another closing chapter for the classic film.

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The Few Who Remain

As of 2025, the number of surviving cast members from the 1939 production is extremely small, primarily consisting of those who worked as stand-ins or uncredited background actors.

• Caren Marsh Doll (Age 105): Marsh Doll served as Judy Garland’s stand-in and body double for the dance sequences. At 105 years old, she is one of the oldest living alumni from the film and remains a vibrant link to the production’s history.
• Priscilla Montgomery Clark (Age 95+): Clark was one of the many uncredited actors who played a Munchkin in the background fill.
• Valerie Lee (Age 92+): Lee is another surviving individual who was part of the background fill cast as a Munchkin.

Behind the Curtain: Shocking Secrets and Grueling Conditions on Set

Despite its bright colors and joyous music, the production of The Wizard of Oz was notoriously difficult and, at times, dangerous. The dark stories from the set have become a major topic of discussion for film historians and fans, adding a layer of tragic complexity to the film’s legacy.

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The Mistreatment of Judy Garland

The most disturbing revelations center on the treatment of 16-year-old Judy Garland. Under the strict control of the studio system, her grueling schedule and emotional well-being were severely compromised.

• The "Pep Pills" and Barbiturates: To manage her demanding shooting schedule, Garland was reportedly given methamphetamines (known as "pep pills") for energy during the day and barbiturates to help her sleep at night. This studio-sanctioned drug regimen is widely believed to have contributed to her lifelong addiction issues and tragically early death.
• Director’s Physical Abuse: In one shocking incident, director Victor Fleming allegedly slapped Garland on set when she struggled to complete a scene. She was then sent to the studio head, Louis B. Mayer, who sent her right back to the set to continue working.
• Body Shaming and Diet: The studio put the teenage star on a strict diet of chicken soup, black coffee, and cigarettes, constantly monitoring her weight to maintain her youthful appearance.

Dangerous Special Effects and On-Set Injuries

The film’s groundbreaking special effects came at a significant cost to the actors’ safety.

Margaret Hamilton’s Severe Burns: The most famous on-set injury belongs to Margaret Hamilton (The Wicked Witch of the West). During the filming of her fiery exit from Munchkinland, the special effects mechanism malfunctioned. She suffered second and third-degree burns on her face and hands, requiring six weeks to recover.

Toxic Makeup: Jack Haley, the Tin Man, was fortunate to have replaced Buddy Ebsen. Ebsen had to be hospitalized due to a severe allergic reaction to the original aluminum powder makeup, which contained pure aluminum dust. The makeup was changed to a safer aluminum paste for Haley, although the heavy metal makeup still posed general health risks.

The Unruly Munchkin Actors

While often romanticized, the group of 124 adult actors hired as the Munchkins caused significant disruption on set. Reports from the time indicated that some of the actors were unruly, engaging in excessive drinking and inappropriate behavior, which created a chaotic atmosphere for the young Judy Garland.

The Everlasting Legacy: Oz in the 21st Century

The story of Oz continues to evolve and captivate audiences globally. The original film’s legacy is so powerful that it has inspired a multi-billion dollar franchise, most notably the Broadway sensation Wicked, which tells the story of the witches of Oz. The success of Wicked has led to a highly anticipated two-part film adaptation, further cementing the world of Oz in modern cinema.

Furthermore, the Wizard of Oz remains a frequent subject of new interpretations and remakes. Recent news in 2025 highlights a new film project being produced by major figures like Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, ensuring that the journey to Emerald City will be retold for generations to come.

From the tragic personal life of Judy Garland to the recent passing of a beloved Munchkin actor, the story of The Wizard of Oz is a complex tapestry of Hollywood magic, groundbreaking cinema, and deeply human struggles. The film’s controversies and its few surviving links to the past serve as a powerful reminder of the extraordinary effort—and cost—that went into creating a film that is truly timeless.