Jerry Maren

Jerry Maren (born Gerard Marenghi; January 24, 1920 – May 24, 2018) was an American actor and writer. He was the only confirmed surviving dwarf Munchkin from The Wizard of Oz (in 2014). 

The other surviving munchkin cast member was Ruth Robinson Duccini until she died in 2014. Maren is the last surviving male dwarf Munchkin from the movie and later the only living Munchkin actor since the death of Duccini. Maren retired from public appearances in September 2011.

Early life
Maren was born Gerard Marenghi in Boston, Massachusetts on January 24, 1920.

Career
In the 1950s, Maren worked as a Little Oscar for the Oscar Mayer Company and as Buster Brown in television and radio commercials. Later he joined his friend Billy Barty in organizing Little People of America. Maren has also portrayed Mayor McCheese and The Hamburglar in commercials for McDonald's.

In the late 1970s, he was the dapper little man on The Gong Show, heralding each show's big finish with an onslaught of confetti as Milton Delugg's band played "Hoop Dee Doo".

Maren also made a notable appearance in The Odd Couple episode 'Felix the Horseplayer' as Harry Tallman, a racehorse exerciser who was giving Oscar tips on winning horses.

Personal life
Maren was married to Elizabeth Barrington from 1975 until her death at age 69 on January 27, 2011.

He lived in Southern California.

Death
On May 24, 2018, Maren died in San Diego of heart failure complicated by dementia at the age of 98.Jerry Maren Dead: Wizard of Oz's actor and "Oldest Munchkin" was 98'WIZARD OF OZ' Lollipop Guild Closes ... OLDEST MUNCHKIN DEAD AT 98

References

Other websites


Category:1920 births
Category:2018 deaths
Category:American movie actors
Category:American television actors
Category:Actors from Boston
Category:Writers from Boston
Category:People with dwarfism
Category:Deaths from heart failure
Category:Deaths from dementia