Harry Monty
Harry Monty (born Hymie Liechtenstein; April 15, 1904 in Dallas, Texas, USA – December 28, 1999) was an American actor of Polish descent dwarf actor and stuntperson, whose most notable roles were as a Munchkin and a Winged Monkey in the Wizard of Oz.[1]
Professional career
Film
Monty began his career on Vaudville, and appeared in various films from the 1930s to the 1970s, often uncredited.[2] He appeared in Wizard of Oz in 1939 as a Munchkin, and also as one of the Winged Monkeys. He later said he considered his role as a munchkin to be the most important of all his roles on stage and film in his fifty-year career.[2] His other film roles were in movies including Hellzapoppin', The Court Jester, Planet of the Apes, Papillon,[1] a production of Swiss Family Robinson, Three Ring Circus, Hello, Dolly!, and as a rotoscope reference actor in the 1978 animated film The Lord of the Rings.[2]
He also served as a stuntperson in the films Tarzan Finds a Son!, Bad Bascomb, River of No Return, and Earthquake.[3]
Television
Monty also appeared in the television series Lost in Space, Bonanza, Bewitched,[1] and H.R. Pufnstuf.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 "Wizard of Oz 'Munchkin' dies aged 95". BBC News. 2000-01-01.
- 1 2 3 Myrna Oliver (1999-12-31). "Harry Monty; Munchkin in ‘Wizard of Oz’". Los Angeles Times.
- 1 2 "Harry Monty". IMDB.