Mickey Carroll

Mickey Carroll (born Michael Finocchiaro, July 8, 1919 – May 7, 2009) was an American actor, who worked in radio and film, and was one of the last surviving actors who portrayed a munchkin in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz.

For the lottery winner, see Michael Carroll (lottery winner).
Mickey Carroll
Born
Michael Finocchiaro

(1919-07-08)July 8, 1919
St. Louis, Missouri
DiedMay 7, 2009(2009-05-07) (aged 89)
Crestwood, Missouri
OccupationActor
Years active1936–1939 (retired)

Early life and career

Born Michael Finocchiaro in St. Louis, Missouri, Carroll was the son of Italian immigrants.[1] He was born along with a twin sister, who, unlike Carroll, was of average size.[2]

As a child Carroll began dance lessons at the Fox Theater in St. Louis.[3] 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[3] and Mickey Rooney. It was Garland herself who offered him a part in The Wizard of Oz. 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.[4]

Soon after the success of the film, Carroll left show business. In the mid-1940s, he returned to St. Louis to run the family business making cemetery monuments, known as Standard Monument Company (founded 1911), which operated a shop and showroom on St. Charles Rock Road in Wellston. After Carroll sold it in 1996, he filled his time with charity work.[5]

In November 2007, Carroll, along with six of the other remaining Munchkins, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[6] 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.

Death

On May 7, 2009, Carroll died in his sleep at the home of his caretaker in Crestwood, Missouri. He suffered from a heart ailment and complications from Alzheimer's disease. After his death, his family sued his caretaker, to whom Carroll had transferred all assets four months before his death.[7]

After a funeral Mass at the New Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis on Lindell Blvd., he was entombed at Calvary Cemetery Shrine Mausoleum in St. Louis.[8]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1938Gold Diggers in ParisActorUncredited
1939The Wizard of OzMunchkin FiddlerUncredited, final film role

References
  1. "Mickey Carroll, an 'Oz' Munchkin, Dies at 89". New York Times. 8 May 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  2. Cox, Stephen (1989). The Munchkins remember: "The Wizard of Oz" and beyond. E.P. Dutton. p. 56. ISBN 9780525484868.
  3. "Mickey Carroll". Explore St. Louis. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  4. "One of Last Surviving 'Wizard of Oz' Munchkins Mickey Carroll Dies". Fox News. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  5. "'Wizard of Oz' Munchkin Mickey Carroll dies at 89". 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-08-13.
  6. "Munchkins of 'Oz' get a star on Walk of Fame". USA Today. 11/21/2007. Retrieved 08/08/2013.
  7. Jones, Stephen (2010). The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror 21. Running Press. p. 447. ISBN 9780762439973.
  8. "Calvary Cemetery in Zip Code 63115". 63115. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
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