Mickey Carroll
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| Mickey Carroll | |
|---|---|
| Born | Michael Finocchiaro July 8, 1919 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | May 7, 2009 (aged 89) Crestwood, Missouri, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1938–1939 |
Mickey Carroll (July 8, 1919 – May 7, 2009) was an American actor and was one of the last surviving munchkins from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.
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[edit] Early life and career
Born Michael Finocchiaro in St. Louis, Missouri, Carroll was the son of Italian immigrants.[1] At age 7, Carroll began dance lessons at the Fox Theater in St. Louis. At 17 he was one of six bellhops in the 'Call for Phillip Morris' live radio ads, and at 18 was appearing in shows with Mae West.
While under contract to MGM, he went to school with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney. It was Garland herself who offered him a part in The Wizard of Oz.[citation needed] He stayed with her during filming.[citation needed] Carroll was cast as Munchkinland's "Town Crier". His costume consisted of a purple cloak with a yellow flower sticking out of his striped vest. He also marched as a "Munchkin Soldier", and as one of the candy-striped "Fiddlers" who escorted Dorothy down the yellow brick road towards the Emerald City.
Soon after the success of the film, Carroll left show business, realizing that his height would prevent him from having any long-term success as an actor.
In November 2007, Carroll, along with six of the other remaining Munchkins, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Thanks to the popularity of The Wizard of Oz, Carroll made many appearances that year, serving as a grand marshal in parades, appearing on nationwide radio and TV shows, and signing thousands of autographs for fans. He helped raise money for several different charities.
[edit] Death
On May 7, 2009, Carroll died in his sleep at the home of his caretaker in Crestwood, Missouri. He was entombed in St. Louis, Missouri's Calvary Cemetery.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ "`Wizard of Oz' Munchkin Mickey Carroll dies at 89". google.com. 2009-05-07. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gcqY6MoLoLMYo2gH9ZTlUATDVA_QD981LNLO0. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
- ^ Wittenauer, Cheryl (2009-05-07). "`Wizard of Oz' Munchkin Mickey Carroll dies at 89". news.yahoo.com. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090507/ap_en_mo/us_obit_carroll. Retrieved 2009-05-08.[dead link]
[edit] External links
- AP Obituary in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- Mickey Carroll at the Internet Movie Database
- Official Mickey Carroll web site
