Jerry Maren
Jerry Maren (born Gerard Marenghi; January 24, 1920 – May 24, 2018) was an American actor and writer. He was the only confirmed surviving dwarf Munchkin from The Wizard of Oz (in 2014).[1]
Jerry Maren | |
|---|---|
 Maren in January 2010 | |
| Born | Gerald Marenghi January 24, 1920 |
| Died | May 24, 2018 (aged 98) La Jolla, San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Heart failure complicated by dementia |
| Occupation | Actor, writer |
| Years active | 1939-2010 |
| Known for | Last living cast member and Munchkin of (The Wizard of Oz) |
| Height | 4 ft 3 in (130 cm) |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Barrington (1975-2011; her death) |
The other surviving munchkin cast member was Ruth Robinson Duccini until she died in 2014.[1] Maren is the last surviving male dwarf Munchkin from the movie and later the only living Munchkin actor since the death of Duccini.[2] Maren retired from public appearances in September 2011.[3]
Early life
Maren was born Gerard Marenghi in Boston, Massachusetts on January 24, 1920.
Career
In the 1950s, Maren worked as a Little Oscar for the Oscar Mayer Company and as Buster Brown in television and radio commercials. Later he joined his friend Billy Barty in organizing Little People of America. Maren has also portrayed Mayor McCheese and The Hamburglar in commercials for McDonald's.
In the late 1970s, he was the dapper little man on The Gong Show, heralding each show's big finish with an onslaught of confetti as Milton Delugg's band played "Hoop Dee Doo".
Maren also made a notable appearance in The Odd Couple episode 'Felix the Horseplayer' as Harry Tallman, a racehorse exerciser who was giving Oscar tips on winning horses.
Personal life
Maren was married to Elizabeth Barrington from 1975 until her death at age 69 on January 27, 2011.
He lived in Southern California.[4]
Death
On May 24, 2018, Maren died in San Diego of heart failure complicated by dementia at the age of 98.[5][6]
Jerry Maren Media
Maren (far left), Karl Slover, Clarence Swensen and Margaret Pellegrini in 1998
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Last female 'Oz' Munchkin dies at 95". CNN.com. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
- ↑ "The last of the living Wizard of Oz Munchkins tells us about how little he was paid for the role..." Yahoo! voices.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2012. Retrieved 11 August 2013.
- ↑ "Munchkin Lollipop Guild Member visits Turning Stone during Oz-Stravaganza | NBC-WKTV News Channel 2 - Utica News, Weather, Sports - | Local News". Wktv.com. June 4, 2010. Archived from the original on March 21, 2012. Retrieved September 18, 2012.
- ↑ Potempa, Philip (2011-01-31). "'Wizard of Oz' Munchkin's wife, Elizabeth Maren, dead at 69". nwi.com. http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/columnists/offbeat/article_0d30beff-4719-5852-a813-0659e9cf1d39.html. Retrieved 2011-02-02.
- ↑ Jerry Maren Dead: Wizard of Oz's actor and "Oldest Munchkin" was 98
- ↑ 'WIZARD OF OZ' Lollipop Guild Closes ... OLDEST MUNCHKIN DEAD AT 98
Other websites
- Jerry Maren on IMDb
This short article about an actor or group of actors from the United States can be made longer. You can help Wikipedia by adding to it.