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'It Was Scary': Wizard of Oz Child Actress Elaine Merk Binder Dies at 94
Elaine Merk Binder, who danced as one of eight Munchkin children in the 1939 film, pursued education in computer science and theology after declining a teen acting contract.
- Elaine Merk Binder, who appeared as one of the children in the Munchkin cast of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, passed away at the age of 94 on Sunday, 2025.
- In 1938, at the age of eight, Elaine tried out for a part in the film and was chosen to be one of eight children who performed singing and dancing on the MGM studio lot.
- She appeared in a pavilion dressed in a dark green outfit and hat, participating in the musical scenes including "Come Out, Come Out" and just before "Off to See the Wizard."
- Binder remembered that this was her initial significant audition for a female role at a major film studio and felt reassured when Bud informed the dance director that she was doing well.
- Her death leaves few surviving munchkin actors from the film, and she is survived by her children and six grandchildren with no cause of death disclosed.
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16 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources16
Leaning Left3Leaning Right3Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution34% Left, 33% Center, 33% Right
Bias Distribution
- 34% of the sources lean Left, 33% of the sources are Center, 33% of the sources lean Right
34% Left
L 34%
C 33%
R 33%
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