99. One of the first musical adaptations of Baum's books took place in 1902; it was also dubbed The Wizard of Oz. The Munchkin actors have since not avoided controversy with alleged behavior behind the scenes. 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Everyone knows about the Munchkins, portrayed by 124 pituitary midgets in the 1939 film starring Judy Garland. The last of the Lollipop Guild might have fallen this week with the death of ' Wizard of Oz ' star Jerry Maren -- but there are still living . Born in 1920 in Boston, Maren was only 18 at the time of castingand stood just three feet six inches tall. The Wizard of Oz | The MGM Optical Department photographed the film's titles. [16][3][17][18][19] Maren left no immediate survivors. Best. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. Dorothy later eventually finds the yellow brick road, and along the way attends a banquet held by a Munchkin man named Boq. Blue is also the predominating color that officially represents the eastern quadrant in the Land of Oz. With Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney hosting screenings at Loew's Capitol Theater, it set house records. We represent the Lollypop Guild, The Lollypop Guild, The Lollypop Guild And in the name of the Lollypop Guild, We wish to welcome you to Muchkinland. The man who once represented the Lollipop Guild and welcomed Dorothy to Munchkinland has officially made his mark. The then-28-year-old had lived in Toledo, a town 20 miles to the south, for all of a month when he pointed his new Outlander SUV onto I-5 and headed north toward the closest city big enough to boast luxuries like a Walmart. TMZ.com. The Wizardry of Oz: The Artistry and Magic of the 1939 M-G-M Classic. Search, discover and share your favorite Lollipop Guild GIFs. Lollipop Guild costumes can be created using green plaid, solid blue, or brown plaid. There is at least one known Munchkin character that was created after Baum's death that appears as a major character. Blanche Sewell edited The Wizard of Oz, an enormous responsibility considering all the scenes that were ultimately discarded. One is by his brother David Fox who claims that "Jackie" was born in 1925. The Lollipop Guild 5 6 #110 of 174 Shopping in Gatlinburg Speciality & Gift Shops Open now 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Visit website Call Write a review About Personalized Music, Books and Cartoon DVDs for Munchkins! And in the name of the Lollipop Guild, we wish to welcome you to Munchkinland. Director Victor Fleming's 1939 film is now considered an all-time classic, though Maren didn't have any idea just how big it was going to be when he was making it. The members of the Lollipop Guild are all male, and all have huge lollipops. The Lollipop Guild Rides Again. Meanwhile, Toto and her trainer earned US$125 per. He replaced Buddy Ebsen two weeks into filming after the original Tin Man fell ill from the character's aluminum dust makeup. Dutton) which was later revised as The Munchkins of Oz (Cumberland House), and his book remained in print for nearly two decades. Jerry Maren Jerry Maren, the actor who cherished his role as the middle Lollipop Guild Munchkin who serenades Judy Garland in the 1939 film classic "The Wizard of Oz," died May 24 at an assisted care facility in LaJolla, Calif. near San Diego. Betty Ann Cain Bruno is the last living Munchkin from the film The Wizard of Oz, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019 in El Verano. June 6, 1979 (aged 81) Los Angeles, California, U.S. Actor comedian vaudevillian radio host singer dancer. [6], In The Wizard of Oz, he played the green-garbed member of the Lollipop Guild (between Jakob "Jackie" Gerlich and Harry Earles), handing a lollipop to Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland). Posted: February 28, 2021 . Almost all of the Singer vaudevillians were cast in Oz, but becauseof his ability to sing and dance and most of all his distinctive hop, director Fleming presented young Maren with the privilege of handing the complimentary sweet to Dorothy. YOFEEL. The Wizard of Oz | Blanche Sewell edited The Wizard of Oz , an enormous responsibility considering all the scenes that were ultimately discarded. 13K. John Fricke, a friend and biographer, remembers his friend. The Munchkins have appeared in various media, including the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, as well as in various other films and comedy acts. Dollhouse (2009) - S02E12 The Hollow Men 3.5s and you're the head of the Lollipop Guild, who's a traitor! Over the years, the image was reproduced many times, for instance as a figure on beer steins, and eventually evolved into a child wearing a pointed hood. So how did Maren get to be the one who handed Dorothy the lollipop, anyway? Jinjur makes a brief appearance in the next book, entitled Ozma of Oz, and is later brought back in Baum's twelfth book, The Tin Woodman of Oz. Maurice Durufl, op. (Phil Potempa / Post-Tribune). The Wizard of Oz | Casting Garland was a risk, but no one ever doubted her voice. Five years prior to casting, he began taking lessons for singing and dancing during school vacations. This fictional character is based on a real baron who told outrageous tall tales based on his military career. Maren, now 94, is the last surviving Munchkin actor. Analysis. LOS ANGELES Jerry Maren, who danced into pop culture in 1939 as the tartan-costumed, candy-toting Munchkin leader of the Lollipop Guild in "The Wizard of Oz," a role that overshadowed a. Sometimes, both Maren and his wife were prized in roles playing themselves, such as dressing as a miniature bride and groom for filming of a 1996 Hootie and Blowfish music video and the now infamous episode of the NBC series "Seinfeld," which was the same 1997 episode that introduced the world to the expression "Yada, yada, yada." The Munchkins are described as being the same height as Dorothy and they wear only shades of blue clothing, as blue is the Munchkins' favorite color. Munchkin Lollipop $4.99 Add Product Information Items Included Shirt Shorts Pair of Socks Features Shirt: 100% cotton, shorts: 100% polyester Plaid button up shirt w/ white collar Drawstring shorts have jagged bottom Green and white stripes socks also included Exclusively, made by us! )[3], Maren began to cultivate his performance talents by creating a persona as a thirteen-year-old during school vacations. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! The Wizard of Oz | Bolger mugs with Mickey Rooney, the MGM star of the Andy Hardy movies who was Garland's frequent costar. Dorothy initially meets only three of them, along with the Good Witch of the North. 14 [a] Notre Pre (Our Father) original unison male voices version, Voices of Ascension. Jerry and his wife Elizabeth, who died in 2011 at age 69, reunited with Kenmore, who is from Dana Point, Calif., and other surviving Munchkins in November 2007 in Los Angeles when the Munchkins were honored with a star unveiled on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. We assemble, to make you extinct, from the Lollipop Squad, the Lollipop Squad! Another Top 10 Male Actors with Iconic Voices. (SOUNDBITE OF JAKE SHIMABUKURO'S "OVER THE RAINBOW"). This legend about The Lollipop Guild is hilarious. Macmillan. Regina sarcastically references the Lollipop Guild when discussing the Wicked Witch of the West occupying her castle, saying "I don't care if the lollipop guild is protecting her, I can lower that shield on my own." The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017) - S04E02 Billy Jones and the Orgy Lamps 2.4s For Tom Thumb, yes, or the Lollipop Guild, The Big Bang Theory (2007) - S03E09 The Vengeance Formulation 4.2s The Munchkin characters that Baum had created in his lifetime also appear in these additional works. Most of the dwarfs hired were acquired for MGM by Leo Singer, the proprietor of Singer's Midgets. The Munchkins hide from all the commotion until Glinda the Good Witch arrives reassuring them that everything is okay. He was one of the Lollipop Guild, who handed a lollipop to Dorothy. Hal Leonard Corporation. Boq, Fyter, Jinjur, Nimmie Amee, Ojo the Lucky, and Unc Nunkie. [6][7] The Munchkins make their appearance in act one, called "The Storm," in which they are shown dancing around their maypole, not noticing that Dorothy's house has fallen to earth killing the Wicked Witch of the East. 10 How old was Jakob Gerlich in The Wizard of Oz? The Lollipop Guild is seen as representing child labor in the novel. If you have to have people always associating you with something, The Wizard of Oz is something great to be part of as someone elses memory.. While the 1939 film is the most well known adaptation (see section below), it was not the first outside work to show the Munchkins in film or musical format. Whether complaining about not receiving residuals from The Wizard of Oz after Ted Turner purchased the film rights in 1985 or reminding of the discrepancy in pay during the original filming, with Munchkins being paid $50 a week while the dog who played Toto earned $125, Maren was vocal. I wrote a column about Maren in December updating readers and describing him as the final Munchkin survivor of the original 124 little people who starred in the film. His beard looks like a kid who smeared coffee grounds on their face for Halloween The MCUs tiniest heroes are kicking off its biggest phase yet, setting up the next several years of storytelling. The lack of this information has resulted in mere speculation of the term origins he used in the book, which include the word Munchkin. It would be nice if she got some credit.. This year is based on the date on the paper, Freda Betsky (33 at the time) was either born in 1915 or 1916. This is the Lollipop Guild scene from The Wizard of Oz, sung by the original Munchkin actors (Jackie Gerlich, Jerry Maren and Mickey Carroll (singing for Harry Doll)). p. 240. Elisabeth Moss THE HANDMAID'S TALE. Chittenango, NY -- Jerry Maren, a Lollipop Guild munchkin from the 1939 classic movie "The Wizard of Oz," will attend the 2010 Oz-Stravaganza June 4-6. Chittenango, ny -- jerry maren, a lollipop guild munchkin from the 1939 classic movie the wizard of oz, will attend the 2010 oz-stravaganza june 4-6. in 2007, maren and other munchkin actors. Aug. 15, 1939: The west-coast premiere of The Wizard of Oz at Grauman's Theater in Los Angeles. "They love me or else they wouldn't be here to see this.". I like how witches came to mind before describing the basic shape. The Wizard of Oz | Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Working on The Wizard of Oz was an experience entirely unlike anything else I had done, seeing so many little people all working on the same project, Maren told me in a 1999 interview while appearing at the 18th Annual Wizard of Oz Festival in Chesterton. Gender Accuracy and availability may vary. Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Televis New York, NY. As such, Marco was either born in 1883 or 1884. 50 bollywood actors voices in 5 minutes -Great Performance. Boq Female Actor in a Drama Series. Dutch Voices Actors Talk about Disney's Frozen. Everything Everywhere All at Once reigned supreme at this year's Screen Actors Guild awards, winning four major awards and breaking the record for most wins for a single film. The rest of the Munchkins then come out of hiding and are shown to be grateful towards Dorothy for killing their evil ruler the Wicked Witch of the East. The Munchkins The Wizard of Oz (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2015 Turner Entertainment. SHAPIRO: Maren had a long showbiz career, appearing in about a hundred films, TV shows and commercials. In the 1950s, he also helped establish the group Little People of America. He was only 14 years old when he made his acting break in The Wizard of Oz, three years after arriving in the United States. Fleming was one five directors who worked on Oz , but he left before it finished to take over, The Wizard of Oz | Fleming with actors Billy Curtis (left) and Charlie Becker (right). They first appear in the classic children's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) where they welcome Dorothy Gale to their city in Oz. #9 -- The first high-production machine was invented in 1908. It is not known for sure whether that is the case. "And in the name of the Lollipop Guild, we wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land . He is also featured, along with fellow Munchkin Billy Curtis, in American International Pictures' release Little Cigars (1973), about a gang of "midgets" on a crime spree. Jerry Maren It's clear even in the movie that these are full grown men, both by their voices and their faces . His four brothers were six feet (c. 182cm) or taller by 1939.[5]. "I have this Forrest Gump-ian way of touching something and it becomes a hit!" That's it. Today, Maren was honored at the TCL Chinese Theater, where "Oz" once appeared, to receive one of Hollywood's highest honors. It's the sibling organization to the Lullaby League, obviously. He says like other little people at the time, Maren saw acting as one of the few opportunities for work. 9 Who was the Red Guy in The Wizard of Oz? Suddenly, we heard . 794 comments. In a 1967 interview, Judy Garland referred to all of the Munchkins as little drunks who got intoxicated every night to the point where they had to be picked up in butterfly nets. Lollipop Guild Pants Step 1 Put on your pants. We make your child a star. A Munchkin is a native of the fictional Munchkin Country in the Oz books by American author L. Frank Baum. He became the last surviving adult Munchkin following the death of Ruth Duccini in 2014, and was also the last surviving cast member with a specifically identifiable speaking or singing role. Thin Handlebar Mustache Appliance. The 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards, which honor some of the year's best television and film performances by actors, aired Sunday. However, it wasn't until 1914 that Munchkin characters first appeared in film works. Wizard of Oz Munchkin Lollipop Guild Boy Doll ~ Vintage 1989 Turner Presents 50th Anniversary Doll w/ Tag Turner Entertainment Hamilton Gift. Oscars honor classic on Sunday; take a trip back in time with historic vintage pics, Credit: Digitized by the Margaret Herrick Library Digital Studio. He replaced Buddy Ebsen two weeks into filming after the original Tin Man fell ill. Maren, now 94, is the last surviving Munchkin actor. Who got paid the least The Wizard of Oz? Several of them outlived all the major cast, as well as the original Tin Man Buddy Ebsen. He was one of the "Lollipop Guild," who handed a lollipop to Dorothy. Forget everything else. [8] In February 2009, Maren performed in Project Lodestar Sagas as Thaddeus, opposite former MGM child actress Margaret O'Brien in the lead role of Livia Wells. Judy Garland, 16, was initially considered too old and too tall for Dorothy. Apart from acting, Maren made many personal appearances throughout the country with some of his fellow Munchkin actors, taking part in state fairs and film festivals. This week, we learned of the death of a munchkin. Harry Earles, Jerry Maren, and Jackie Gerlich, who became the Lollipop Guild kids in Munchkinland. The best GIFs are on GIPHY. Inside the actors studio _ The simpsons Voices. [121] Twenty-seven years later an animated film called The Wonderful Land of Oz was made; it has Jinjur as a major character. Lollipop Guild, you asshole. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Their name may be in reference to the Lollipop Guild of Munchkins from the 1939 film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. The former appears in the story asking for a wish for running an errand for a witch; the latter is the name given to the mystery "Munchkin maiden" from the first book, who was the former lover of the Tin Woodman. On Wednesday, his nephew Lloyd Decker confirmed his death at age 98. Fleming with actors Billy Curtis (left) and Charlie Becker (right). Afterwards, the dubbed version used in the movie is shown (sung by Billy Bletcher, Pinto Colveg and Harry Stanton). this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Dune (1984) 2.9s On Wednesday, his nephew Lloyd Decker confirmed his death at age 98. In the movie, sure, they can seem creepy and adult-like to a viewer, but they're dressed up in little kid outfits doing a jig and singing along with the rest of the crazy characters. The foursome retired in the mid-1950s. Maren was 18 or 19 years old when he shot his scenes for The Wizard of Oz in the latter part of 1938 and early 1939. LOS ANGELES Jerry Maren, who danced into pop culture in 1939 as the tartan-costumed, candy-toting Munchkin leader of the Lollipop Guild in "The Wizard of Oz, " a role that overshadowed a. To make it official, the Mayor of Munchkinland and his assistant have to make sure that the Wicked Witch of the East is really dead before the celebration continues. The events that take place mirror the film including the song "Ding-Dong! 8 Who are the original Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz? Watch out for the wicked ethereal of the west. (SOUNDBITE OF FILM, "THE WIZARD OF OZ") UNIDENTIFIED ACTORS: (As. KELLY: Despite all his achievements, though, Maren said his fans only cared about one role. [3], Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 19:29, Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, Best in Film: The Greatest Movies of Our Time, "Final female 'Oz' Munchkin Ruth Duccini dead at 95", "Trouble in 'Oz': the Munchkins' dirty secret", "Jerry Maren, Who Sang and Danced as a Munchkin in Oz, Dies at 98", "Motherly Women Big Pain To Jerry, A Midget Actor", "Munchkin Lollipop Guild Member visits Turning Stone during Oz-Stravaganza", "Jerry Maren places hands in wet cement at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles - Photos", "Last 'Wizard of Oz' Munchkin: Jerry Maren NOT Dead Just Laying Low", "Munchkin Actor Jerry Maren Dead? In 2007, Maren and other munchkin actors. [9], The 1939 movie musical The Wizard of Oz was loosely based on Baum's novel. Smh. LOS ANGELES Jerry Maren, the last surviving munchkin from the classic 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz" and the one who famously welcomed Dorothy to Munchkin Land, has died at age 99. Sometime in the book a background story is also given about a "Munchkin maiden" (named Nimmie Amee in later books), who was the former love interest of the Tin Woodman.[5]. In Australia these people are called lollipop ladies (and are usually Irish for some reason) and "traffic cones" are called witches hats. June 6 (UPI) -- Jerry Maren, the actor who played a member of the Lollipop Guild in The Wizard of Oz and was the last surviving adult Munchkin from the classic film, has died at the age of. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. [11] On 20 November 2007, the Munchkins were given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. "It confirms my opinion of the public," said Maren. $32.50 (10% off) FREE shipping. Producer Mervyn LeRoy helped persuade MGM's Louis B. Mayer to acquire the rights to L. Frank Baum's book and played a crucial role in the casting of the characters. You'll be history, you'll be history, you'll be history. And while the other Munchkins would wear recreations of their soldier costumes, flowerpots on their heads and other assorted odd ensembles in the guise of their original "Oz" film wardrobe for paid personal appearances, Maren always refused. Victor Fleming consults with his actors. At the age of 12, Maren started taking dancing lessons with his sister. Misheard song lyrics (also called mondegreens) occur when people misunderstand the lyrics in a song. [citation needed] He began attending singing and dancing lessons in his early teens, and enjoyed them so much that he opted to team up with his teacher in an act known as "Three Steps and a Hop." (uncredited) Production Design by Art Direction by Set Decoration by Edwin B. Willis . Seven of the surviving Munchkin actors attended the ceremony, including the actor Gerard Marenghi, better known as Jerry Maren, now the last surviving Munchkin. We welcome you to Munchkinland, Tra la la la la la la From now on you'll be history. [3][4] His father, Emil Marenghi, worked at a shoe factory. [1][2], Gerard Marenghi, eventually known as Jerry Maren, was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, the youngest of eleven or twelve children. The trio (plus Toto, whose real name was Terry) approaches the Cowardly Lion's hunting grounds. The film opened in New York on Aug. 17, 1939. p. 248. Pam Grier reflects on her most iconic roles, from. In the same year as The Wizard of Oz, Maren appeared in an Our Gang short Tiny Troubles as the criminal "Light-Fingered Lester", and was an extra in the Western film The Terror of Tiny Town. Share the best GIFs now >>> Maren, now 94, is the last surviving Munchkin actor. Scarfone, Jay (2004). Hall of Fame. Does he think the pope is planning Human Instrumentality too? SONGLYRICS just got interactive. In a 1967 interview, Judy Garland referred to all of the Munchkins as "little drunks" who got intoxicated every night to the point where they had to be picked up in "butterfly nets". News. In the late 1970s, Maren was the dapper little man in top hat and tuxedo on The Gong Show, heralding each show's big finish with an onslaught of confetti as Milton DeLugg's band played "Hoop Dee Doo". Her performance as the Wicked Witch would frighten generations of children, who routinely, The Wizard of Oz | Victor Fleming consults with his actors. (Hormone treatments allowed Maren to reach a height of 4ft 6in (137cm) later in life. Jerry Maren, the actor who cherished his role as the middle Lollipop Guild Munchkin who serenades Judy Garland in the 1939 film classic The Wizard of Oz, died May 24 at an assisted care facility in LaJolla, Calif. near San Diego. In the now iconic scene when Garlands character Dorothy arrives in Technicolor Munchkinland, its Maren in his Munchkin guise who presents her with a large lollipop in appreciation that her twister tossed Kansas house has landed on top of the Wicked Witch of the East. Entertainment Weekly may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 4:22. In some cases these books were written under Baum's name, and include among other characters the Munchkins. [citation needed], Maren had a walk-on role in an episode of Seinfeld ("The Yada Yada") and played a mime in the 2010-released comedy horror movie Dahmer vs. Gacy. They were not as big as the grown folk she had always been used to; but neither were they very small. "Somebody had to go to Milwaukee, somebody had to go to Boston, New York, etc.". Making matters worse, bad actors like Donald Trump leverage the resulting economic disparity and social alienation to their own benefit appealing to "over the rainbow"-esque dreams. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. SHAPIRO: Maren was lip-synching in the movie. This film stars American actress Violet MacMillan as Ojo, and was produced by Baum. Press J to jump to the feed. Watch Jerry Maren Sing 'The Lollipop Guild': Jerry Maren and Ruth Duccini, 95, are currently the only two surviving Munchkin actors from the film. The following is a list of actors who portrayed the Munchkins in the 1939 film. The MGM Optical Department photographed the film's titles. Emily and Per Ola d'Aulaire, "Mannequins: our fantasy figures of high fashion,". By this time, she is shown to be a more prominent character who is helpful and friendly to Dorothy and her friends. However, later on, he became a member of Singers popular vaudeville troupe, called Singers Midgets. [12], On February 29, 2016, it was reported that Maren had died of pancreatic cancer, but these reports were false. Who was the first person to die from The Wizard of Oz? From Austin Butler and Cate Blanchett to a potential Best Supporting Actress toss-up, see who EW thinks will win at the 2023 Oscars. Lollipop Guild And Jerry was very proud of his work in organizing that. [13] He posted a video on Instagram to say that he was alive and well, and according to friend Steve Cox, he didn't have cancer. Rushdie, Salman (1992). Some of the survivorsincluding Jerry Maren, who, at eighty-seven, is the only remaining representative of the Lollipop Guild, and three full-size people who, as children, played Munchkinswere. I had honest to God nightmares about this shit as a kid. Frank Morgan got the role of the Wizard after W.C. Fields demanded too much money. HollywoodBoulevard. When he wrote the book, 33 of the actors with dwarfism who appeared in the film were still alive and were interviewed. Notable differences of the Munchkins include their country name of Munchkinland, and their clothes of many colors instead of an all-blue attire. "We represent the Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild," he sang. Casting Garland was a risk, but no one ever doubted her voice. Maren wasnt just any Munchkin. For more than two decades, the annual Wizard of Oz Festival in Chesterton was an annual highlight for fans of Oz from Northwest Indiana and beyond to greet the arrival of the actors and actresses who played the Munchkins. We are actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, dj's, news writers, news directors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other media professionals. A previous headline and Web introduction to this story said that Jerry Maren was the last living actor to portray a munchkin. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Jerry Maren, the actor who cherished his role as the middle Lollipop Guild Munchkin who serenades Judy Garland in the 1939 film classic "The Wizard of Oz," died May 24 at an assisted care. Jennifer Aniston THE MORNING SHOW. The cast members of The Lollipop Guild (from left to right) are Jackie Gerlich , Jerry Maren , Harry Earles . Seven of the surviving Munchkin actors from the film were present. Three little people go up to Dorothy, played by Judy Garland. The lollipop guild, and all of the munchkins, were played by adults with dwarfism. Amounts shown in italicized text are for items listed in currency other than Canadian dollars and are approximate conversions to Canadian dollars based upon Bloomberg's conversion Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. And we will glorify your name. [3] Another possibility is a connection to Baron Munchausen. FREE shipping. The other possible year given is 1917, which Fox claims was the birth year of an older brother. Maren wasn't just any Munchkin. The detachment of their heads when breathing lightning may have been inspired by the ykai nukekubi. Who played the Lollipop Kid? He outlived all the major cast members, including original Tin Man Buddy Ebsen. Jerry Maren (born Gerard Marenghi; January 24, 1920 - May 24, 2018) was an American actor who played a Munchkin member of the Lollipop Guild in the 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film The Wizard of Oz. It is also possible that Munchkin came from the German word Mnnchen, which means "mannikin" or "little figure". [citation needed], After The Wizard of Oz, Maren had roles in several movies and television shows, including a circus performer in the Marx Brothers film At The Circus (1939) and as an ape in Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973).