THE WIZARD OF OZ - MUNCHKIN MICKEY CARROLL DEAD AT 89

MUNCHKIN MICKEY CARROLL DEAD AT 89

MICKEY CARROLL, one of the last surviving Munchkins from the movie THE WIZARD OF OZ, has died.
The former actor, born Michael Finocchiaro, died on Thursday (07May09), two months shy of his 90th birthday.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1919, Carroll's godfather was the infamous gangster Al Capone.
He landed his break as a teen when his mentor, entertainer Jack Haley, took Carroll to Hollywood and he was cast as Mickey in the Spanky and Our Gang TV and film series.
While under contract to MGM, he went to school with Judy Garland, who, legend has it, personally offered Carroll a role in 1939's The Wizard of Oz. He reportedly stayed with the actress during the making of the movie.
He quit showbusiness shortly after the film wrapped but often teamed up with the other Munchkins for anniversaries and celebrations.