The Last Of Oz: Which 'Wizard Of Oz' (1939) Cast Members Are Still Alive In 2024?

The 1939 film The Wizard of Oz is a cornerstone of American cinema, a timeless classic that has enchanted generations with its vibrant Technicolor world and unforgettable characters like Dorothy Gale, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Scarecrow. Decades after its premiere, with the film having celebrated its 85th anniversary in 2024, the question of which cast and crew members are still alive remains a source of great curiosity for fans worldwide. As of today, December 12, 2025, the number of individuals who worked on the production and are still with us is incredibly small, a testament to the film's age and enduring legacy.

The vast majority of the principal actors, including the iconic stars like Judy Garland, have long since passed away. However, a select few—primarily background performers and stand-ins—have achieved centenarian status or are very close to it, carrying unique, firsthand memories from the set of one of Hollywood's most legendary productions. The most prominent surviving member is a woman who shared the screen with Dorothy herself, though she never spoke a line.

The Last Living Links to the Yellow Brick Road: Surviving Cast Members

The main cast members who played the iconic roles, such as Judy Garland (Dorothy Gale), Ray Bolger (Scarecrow), Jack Haley (Tin Man), Bert Lahr (Cowardly Lion), and Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch of the West), are all deceased. The last of the main Munchkin actors, Jerry Maren (a member of the Lollipop Guild), passed away in 2018. The search for a surviving cast member in 2022, and today in 2025, leads to a handful of remarkable women who were young children or teens during the 1939 production, mostly in background roles or as doubles.

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1. Caren Marsh Doll: Judy Garland’s Stand-In

Caren Marsh Doll is the most famous and oldest surviving member of the Oz production team.

• Role in Film: Stand-in and Dance Double for Judy Garland (Dorothy Gale).
• Birth Date: April 6, 1919.
• Age in 2025: 106 years old.
• Key Facts: As Judy Garland’s stand-in, she was on the set daily and was responsible for the lighting and camera blocking for Dorothy’s scenes. She is the person whose feet are seen clicking the Ruby Slippers together in a close-up shot that sends Dorothy home. She was a professional dancer, specializing in modern dance and tap, and continued her career after Oz. She survived a plane crash in 1949 that tragically killed 35 people.

2. Priscilla Montgomery Clark: Background Munchkin

Priscilla Montgomery Clark is one of the last known surviving actors who played a Munchkin, a role she took on as a child.

• Role in Film: Background Fill Munchkin.
• Age in 2025: Approximately 96 years old (turned 95 in 2024).
• Key Facts: She was only 9 years old when she was cast as a Munchkin in the film. She is often mentioned in current reports as one of the very few surviving actors with personal memories of the 1939 set.

3. Valerie Lee (Shepard): Background Munchkin

Valerie Lee is another confirmed surviving Munchkin actor, having been a child performer in the background crowd scenes of Munchkinland.

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• Role in Film: Background Fill Munchkin.
• Age in 2025: Approximately 93-94 years old (mentioned as 92 in recent reports).
• Key Facts: She is one of the small group of surviving Munchkin actors who participated in the film's massive crowd scenes. She is often listed alongside Priscilla Montgomery Clark in discussions about the last living cast members.

The True Meaning of "Last Surviving" and Recent Losses

The term "last surviving cast member" can be misleading, as it often refers to the last surviving actor who played a principal, speaking role. However, when considering the hundreds of people who worked on the film, the true survivors are the background actors and doubles, many of whom were children at the time of filming. Understanding the distinction is key to getting the most current information.

The End of the Lollipop Guild: Jerry Maren

For decades, the name Jerry Maren was synonymous with the "last surviving Munchkin." Maren was one of the three actors who emerged from the crowd to welcome Dorothy to Munchkinland as a member of the Lollipop Guild, famously handing her a giant lollipop. His death in May 2018 at the age of 98 marked the passing of the last surviving actor from the group of 124 little people who were specifically hired to portray the Munchkins. This event shifted the focus to the background child actors like Priscilla Montgomery Clark and Valerie Lee.

A Recent Loss: Elaine Merk Binder

Another background Munchkin, Elaine Merk Binder, was also frequently cited as one of the last surviving cast members. She passed away at the age of 94. Her death further reduced the number of living individuals with direct memories of the production, leaving the small group of survivors to carry the torch.

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Refuting Older Claims: The Winged Monkey

In the past, some sources claimed that Danny Windsor, an uncredited actor who purportedly played a Winged Monkey, was still alive. However, records confirm that Danny Windsor passed away at the age of 87. While he was involved in a cut scene as a dancing tree and claimed a role as a Winged Monkey, his passing confirms that even these minor roles are no longer represented by living actors today.

The Immortal Legacy of The Wizard of Oz

The 1939 film remains a cultural phenomenon, a significant piece of cinematic history that pioneered the use of Technicolor and special effects. The longevity of the surviving cast members—Caren Marsh Doll, Priscilla Montgomery Clark, and Valerie Lee—is remarkable, especially considering the film was made over eight decades ago. Their existence is a tangible link to a bygone Hollywood era, a time when the movie industry was transitioning into its Golden Age.

The current survivors, particularly Caren Marsh Doll, have embraced their unique place in history, often participating in fan conventions and interviews to share their memories of the set, Judy Garland, and the making of the classic film. The stories they tell provide invaluable insight into the creation of a movie that has transcended time, making their continued presence an irreplaceable treasure for film historians and devoted fans of The Wizard of Oz. Every year that passes makes their stories more precious, solidifying their status as the final guardians of this beloved fantasy world.