Update: Jerry Maren, Last Surviving "Wizard of Oz" Munchkin, has not Died - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Vahan · 02-29-2016, 10:59 PM

http://www.examiner.com/article/munc...maren-has-died

The last surviving Oz munchkin, Jerry Maren, has died at the age of 96. Mr. Maren is best known as one of the Lollipop Guild in the classic 1939 movie version of “The Wizard of Oz.” But his career lasted long enough for him to have also appeared on TV’s “Seinfeld.”

Born Gerald Marenghi on January 24, 1920, Maren’s appearance in “The Wizard of Oz” resulted in a movie career that included the Our Gang comedy “Tiny Troubles,” The Marx Brothers feature “At the Circus,” and the notorious all-midget western “Terror of Tiny Town.” He would often appear in bit parts, but always resonated and did what he could with each role.

But the 1950s, Maren centered upon television with appearances on “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “Bewitched,” “Get Smart,” “The Odd Couple,” and “The Wild Wild West” among others. Maren kept working into the 21st century. Along with “Seinfeld,” Maren can be seen in “The Great Outdoors,” and “Spaceballs.” He made his last movie in 2010.

Jerry Maren also was involved in radio and TV advertising. He played Buster Brown on TV and radio during the 1950s and 1960s, appeared as Little Oscar in the Oscar Meyer commercials, and was Mayor McCheese and the Hamburglar on several McDonald’s commercials in the 1970s.

Mr. Maren would later state that the munchkins were only paid $50 a week while the dog, Toto, received $200 for “The Wizard of Oz.” At the time of his death, he was the last surviving actor to have played munchkin in the movie. He succumbed to pancreatic cancer on February 28, 2016.

D-Dey · 02-29-2016, 11:04 PM

Wow. I didn't think there were any munchkins left.

Any other surviving cast or crew members left from that movie?

Zoneboy · 02-29-2016, 11:08 PM

Maren's death is still unconfirmed. That is not a reliable source and was banned by Wikipedia a few years ago from being used as one when editing obits. I have been waiting several hours now to find a source other than the one provided above. I suggest this thread be deleted until an obit from a trusted source can be found. If it turns out to be true then that would've made him the last surviving munchkin but not cast member. Shep Houghton is supposedly still alive at 102

Zoneboy · 03-01-2016, 04:54 AM

According to Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter Jerry Maren is still with us.

https://twitter.com/ScottFeinberg

Scott Feinberg ‏@ScottFeinberg
Contrary to some reports Jerry Maren, the last of the Munchkins from THE WIZARD OF OZ, is still with us — great guy!

Foggy · 03-01-2016, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Often celebrity passings of older stars will break in social media long before they hit mainstream news sources. "Petticoat Junction" actor Mike Minor's death was reported in social media only a day after he died, but it was a full week later before the mainstream news picked it up...

Reports that Mr. Marin succumbed to pancreatic cancer on February 28, 2016 are apparently incorrect. This does not have the earmarks of a celebrity death hoax, something that is unfortunately all too frequent on the internet. But further investigation has revealed the initial sources were erroneous in reporting his passing. ....

Apologies to all who may have been further misled by the original obituary that was written here, which was posted in good faith based on the initial sources that had heretofore been accurate about celebrity passings. We are naturally pleased that Mr. Maren is apparently still with us.

http://www.examiner.com/article/munc...maren-has-died

cleverfun3000 · 03-01-2016, 05:25 PM

Am I to believe that every single munshkin that appeared on camera but him, has died?

MrCleveland · 03-03-2016, 03:25 PM

Looks like I'll be telling my children that everyone in the 1939 Wizard of OZ is "Gone With The Wind"...no pun intended, since that film was released in 1939 as well!

opus · 03-03-2016, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

...no pun intended

I believe you fully intended the pun...

MrCleveland · 03-04-2016, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

I believe you fully intended the pun...

Well...I also lived through a time when everyone on the film "Gone with the Wind" passed away...

IllinoisTVFan · 03-18-2016, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrCleveland

Well...I also lived through a time when everyone on the film "Gone with the Wind" passed away...

there a few from Gone With The Wind still with us, like Olivia DeHavilland.

Crusinforabrusin · 07-16-2016, 08:58 AM

https://simple.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shep_Houghton

Oldest surviving cast member of both " Gone With The Wind" And "The Wizard Of Oz"

02-29-2016, 10:59 PM	#1
Vahan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2008 Posts: 2,712	Update: Jerry Maren, Last Surviving "Wizard of Oz" Munchkin, has not Died http://www.examiner.com/article/munc...maren-has-died The last surviving Oz munchkin, Jerry Maren, has died at the age of 96. Mr. Maren is best known as one of the Lollipop Guild in the classic 1939 movie version of “The Wizard of Oz.” But his career lasted long enough for him to have also appeared on TV’s “Seinfeld.” Born Gerald Marenghi on January 24, 1920, Maren’s appearance in “The Wizard of Oz” resulted in a movie career that included the Our Gang comedy “Tiny Troubles,” The Marx Brothers feature “At the Circus,” and the notorious all-midget western “Terror of Tiny Town.” He would often appear in bit parts, but always resonated and did what he could with each role. But the 1950s, Maren centered upon television with appearances on “The Beverly Hillbillies,” “Bewitched,” “Get Smart,” “The Odd Couple,” and “The Wild Wild West” among others. Maren kept working into the 21st century. Along with “Seinfeld,” Maren can be seen in “The Great Outdoors,” and “Spaceballs.” He made his last movie in 2010. Jerry Maren also was involved in radio and TV advertising. He played Buster Brown on TV and radio during the 1950s and 1960s, appeared as Little Oscar in the Oscar Meyer commercials, and was Mayor McCheese and the Hamburglar on several McDonald’s commercials in the 1970s. Mr. Maren would later state that the munchkins were only paid $50 a week while the dog, Toto, received $200 for “The Wizard of Oz.” At the time of his death, he was the last surviving actor to have played munchkin in the movie. He succumbed to pancreatic cancer on February 28, 2016.
	Last edited by JamesG; 03-01-2016 at 01:06 PM.

02-29-2016, 11:04 PM	#2
D-Dey Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 11, 2000 Location: Long Island, New York, USA Posts: 5,532	Wow. I didn't think there were any munchkins left. Any other surviving cast or crew members left from that movie?
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02-29-2016, 11:08 PM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,448	Maren's death is still unconfirmed. That is not a reliable source and was banned by Wikipedia a few years ago from being used as one when editing obits. I have been waiting several hours now to find a source other than the one provided above. I suggest this thread be deleted until an obit from a trusted source can be found. If it turns out to be true then that would've made him the last surviving munchkin but not cast member. Shep Houghton is supposedly still alive at 102
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

03-01-2016, 05:25 PM	#6
cleverfun3000 Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 18, 2008 Location: Manhattan Posts: 1,685	Am I to believe that every single munshkin that appeared on camera but him, has died?
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03-03-2016, 03:25 PM	#7
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,234	Looks like I'll be telling my children that everyone in the 1939 Wizard of OZ is "Gone With The Wind"...no pun intended, since that film was released in 1939 as well!
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)

03-01-2016, 04:54 AM	#4
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,448	According to Scott Feinberg of The Hollywood Reporter Jerry Maren is still with us. https://twitter.com/ScottFeinberg Scott Feinberg ‏@ScottFeinberg Contrary to some reports Jerry Maren, the last of the Munchkins from THE WIZARD OF OZ, is still with us — great guy!

07-16-2016, 08:58 AM	#11
Crusinforabrusin It's time to move on, Goodbye Senior Member Join Date: Dec 27, 2015 Posts: 2,056	https://simple.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shep_Houghton Oldest surviving cast member of both " Gone With The Wind" And "The Wizard Of Oz"
	__________________ I've enjoyed reading through all the threads and posting here throughout the years, but now is the perfect time to say goodbye and move on to other things.