Margaret Pellegrini, Munchkin in ‘Wizard of Oz’, Dies at 89

A spokesman for Margaret says that the actress passes away because of stroke at her home in Phoenix.

margaret-pellegrini-munchkin-in-wizard-of-oz-dies-at-89Margaret Pellegrini, who played a flower pot Muchkin in the original production of “The Wizard of Oz”, passed away on Wednesday, August 7, at her home in Phoenix. She was 89.

A spokesman for the actress, Ted Bulthaup, told CNN that Margaret suffered from stroke prior to her death. Many fans left flowers on Munchkin’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star after news of her passing emerged.

Margaret was scouted by an agent at the age of 13. Three years later, she took part in the 1939 movie as a flower pot Munchkin who greeted Dorothy, played by Judy Garland, after she landed in Oz. She also made an appearance in the movie as Sleepyheads.

Margaret, who then stood at 3 feet, 4 inches, once recalled the filming of the movie, saying that Judy was “a very lovely person.” She described Judy as “a normal,” “typical teenager.” In regards to other cast members, Margaret said that she was “excited” to work with “so many little people.”

According to Yahoo, Margaret took part in many Oz-related activities throughout her life. She attended a 2007 ceremony in which the remaining Munchkins were awarded a star on Hollywood Walk of Fame. Besides, she was named the Grand Marshall on “Oz-Stravaganza” parade in Chittenango, New York this year, but she could not attend because of health issue.

With her passing, there are only two known survivors of 124 people who played Munchkins in the movie. One of them is 95-year-old Ruth Duccini, who lives in Phoenix, and the other one is 93-year-old Jerry Maren, who lives in Los Angeles.

© AceShowbiz.com

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