Hymie Lichtenstein (April 15, 1904 – December 28, 1999), better known as Harry Monty, was a Polish-American actor, dwarf actor and stuntman, whose most notable role was as a Munchkin and a winged monkey in the Wizard of Oz.[1]

Harry Monty
Born
Hymie Lichtenstein

(1904-04-15)April 15, 1904
Dallas, Texas
DiedDecember 28, 1999(1999-12-28) (aged 95)

Early life

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Monty was born April 15, 1904 in Dallas, Texas to Frank and Lydia Lichtenstein, who had immigrated from Poland in the 1890s. He had three brothers.[2]

Career

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Monty began his career in vaudeville, and appeared in various films from the 1930s to the 1970s, often uncredited.[3] He appeared in Wizard of Oz in 1939 as a Munchkin, and also as one of the Winged Monkeys. He later said he considered his role as a Munchkin to be the most important of all his roles on stage and film in his 50-year career.[3] His other film roles were in movies including Hellzapoppin', The Court Jester, Planet of the Apes, Papillon,[1] a production of Swiss Family Robinson, Three Ring Circus, Hello, Dolly!, and as a rotoscope reference actor in the 1978 animated film The Lord of the Rings.[3]

He worked as a stunt double for many child actors, and did all of Margaret O'Brien's stunt work.[4] In addition, Monty served as a stuntperson in the films Tarzan Finds a Son!, Bad Bascomb, River of No Return, and Earthquake.[5]

Monty also appeared in the television series Lost in Space, Bonanza, Bewitched,[1] and H.R. Pufnstuf.[5]

Death and burial

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Monty died on December 28, 1999, at age of 95. After a private funeral service he was buried at Shearith Israel Memorial Park in Dallas.[2]

Filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Wizard of Oz 'Munchkin' dies aged 95". BBC News. January 1, 2000.
  2. ^ a b Lichtenstein, Hymie (obituary), The Los Angeles Times, December 30, 1999, page 26
  3. ^ a b c Myrna Oliver (December 31, 1999). "Harry Monty; Munchkin in 'Wizard of Oz'". Los Angeles Times.
  4. ^ Harmetz, Alijean, The Making of the Wizard of Oz, page 203, Chicago Review Press, 2013
  5. ^ a b "Harry Monty". IMDB.
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