The Last Living Cast: What Happened To The Wizard Of Oz Movie Stars And The Shocking 2025 Remakes
The 1939 classic, The Wizard of Oz, remains one of the most beloved and culturally significant films in cinematic history, but the fate of its legendary cast has always fascinated fans. As of late 2025, while all the major credited actors like Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, and Margaret Hamilton have passed away, the film's legacy continues through a handful of surviving contributors from Hollywood’s Golden Age, whose stories are a direct link to the magic and grueling production of the original Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) masterpiece.
The enduring power of Dorothy Gale's journey down the Yellow Brick Road is being reignited in a major way, with a wave of new projects set for 2025 and beyond. These upcoming films and experiences, including an AI-reimagined version and a dark horror take, prove that the Land of Oz is far from finished, cementing the original cast's iconic performances for a new generation.
The Immortalized Stars: A Complete 1939 Cast Biography
The primary cast of The Wizard of Oz delivered performances that transcended the screen, creating characters—from the Scarecrow to the Wicked Witch of the West—that are instantly recognizable globally. Their careers, however, were often overshadowed by the film's success, leading to complex and sometimes tragic lives.
Judy Garland (Dorothy Gale)
- Born: June 10, 1922, Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
- Died: June 22, 1969, Chelsea, London, England (Age 47).
- Role: Dorothy Gale / herself as the Kansas farm girl.
- Career Highlights: Garland achieved international fame at age 16 with this role. She was dubbed the "world's greatest entertainer" and starred in other classics like Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) and A Star Is Born (1954). Her time on the *Oz* set was notoriously difficult, cementing her place as a beloved but troubled icon.
Ray Bolger (The Scarecrow)
- Born: January 10, 1904, Dorchester, Massachusetts.
- Died: January 15, 1987, Los Angeles, California (Age 83).
- Role: The Scarecrow / farmhand Hunk.
- Career Highlights: Bolger was a major Broadway performer known for his flexible, loose-limbed dancing style. He was originally cast as the Tin Woodman but successfully lobbied to switch roles with Buddy Ebsen (the original Tin Man) to play the Scarecrow, a role better suited to his dance skills. He was the last surviving main credited cast member of the film at the time of his death from bladder cancer.
Jack Haley (The Tin Woodman)
- Born: August 10, 1897, Boston, Massachusetts.
- Died: June 6, 1979, Los Angeles, California (Age 81).
- Role: The Tin Woodman / farmhand Hickory.
- Career Highlights: An American stage, radio, and film actor, Haley stepped into the role of the Tin Man after Buddy Ebsen suffered a severe allergic reaction to the aluminum dust makeup. Haley's makeup was changed to a safer aluminum paste. He was known for his genial, easy-going persona.
Bert Lahr (The Cowardly Lion)
- Born: August 13, 1895, New York City, New York.
- Died: December 4, 1967, New York City, New York (Age 72).
- Role: The Cowardly Lion / farmhand Zeke.
- Career Highlights: Lahr was a celebrated American comedian and stage actor, best known for his dynamic, blustering performance as the Lion. His thick, heavy costume was made from real lion hides, making the filming process incredibly taxing due to the heat.
Margaret Hamilton (The Wicked Witch of the West)
- Born: December 9, 1902, Cleveland, Ohio.
- Died: May 16, 1985, Salisbury, Connecticut (Age 82).
- Role: The Wicked Witch of the West / Almira Gulch.
- Career Highlights: Despite a 50-year career in film, television, and theater, Hamilton is universally remembered as the terrifying Wicked Witch. Before acting, she was a schoolteacher. She suffered severe burns during a stunt involving her character's fiery exit, highlighting the dangerous conditions of early filmmaking.
Frank Morgan (The Wizard of Oz)
- Born: June 1, 1890, New York City, New York.
- Died: September 18, 1949, Beverly Hills, California (Age 59).
- Role: The Wizard of Oz, Professor Marvel, the Gatekeeper, the Carriage Driver, and the Guard.
- Career Highlights: Morgan was a veteran actor known for his versatility, playing five different roles in the film. He was nominated for two Academy Awards during his career.
The Last Remaining Links to the Original Production
While the principal actors have all passed, the film’s history is still preserved through a few individuals who worked on the production. These last surviving contributors offer a direct, living connection to the making of the 1939 classic.
Caren Marsh Doll, born in 1919, is one of the oldest living individuals associated with the film. She served as Judy Garland’s stand-in for many of the scenes and was a dancer in the movie. At 105 years old, she represents a direct link to the day-to-day filming process on the MGM lot during Hollywood’s Golden Age. Other surviving contributors include a few background fill Munchkins, though the last surviving Munchkin actor with an on-screen credit, Jerry Maren, passed away in 2018.
The Oz Cinematic Universe: Shocking New Projects for 2025
The Land of Oz is experiencing a massive resurgence in 2025, moving far beyond the traditional family musical. This new wave of content highlights the enduring cultural relevance of L. Frank Baum’s original stories and the 1939 film.
The Las Vegas Sphere AI Reimagining
One of the most radical updates is the premiere of an AI-reimagined version of The Wizard of Oz at the Las Vegas Sphere. Scheduled to begin screening on August 28, 2025, this project uses artificial intelligence and cloud technology to update the classic film for a new, immersive format. The critical reaction has been polarized, but the move signifies a bold, technology-driven approach to classic cinema.
Leonardo DiCaprio’s Mysterious New Oz Film
Following the major success of the *Wicked* movies, which provide a prequel narrative focusing on the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) and Glinda, a new, separate *Wizard of Oz* film is reportedly being developed by Leonardo DiCaprio. While details remain scarce, the project aims to further explore the Oz universe, demonstrating that Hollywood sees massive potential in expanding the narrative beyond Dorothy’s original adventure.
The Horror Take: ‘THE WIZARD OF OZ: THE DEAD WALK’
In a surprising and dark twist, a horror film titled *THE WIZARD OF OZ: THE DEAD WALK* is slated for a 2025/2026 release. This low-budget horror reimagining follows a Dorothy haunted by her Oz nightmares, who unintentionally unleashes evil at a rehab center. This project, along with other similar horror takes on classic children's stories, shows a cultural trend of re-contextualizing beloved, nostalgic properties into darker, more mature genres.
The Undying Magic of the Original Cast and Crew
Despite the influx of new projects, the original 1939 film, with its groundbreaking Technicolor and unforgettable musical numbers like "Over the Rainbow," remains the gold standard. The dedication of the original cast—from Judy Garland's emotional portrayal to the physical comedy of the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion—created a timeless piece of cinematic art. The film's legacy is a testament to the talent of its stars, whose work continues to inspire new interpretations nearly a century later. The current news surrounding the AI version, the horror film, and the DiCaprio project only serves to highlight the foundational brilliance of the original *Wizard of Oz* cast and the world they brought to life.
Detail Author:
- Name : Geovanny Heller II
- Username : mohara
- Email : alize.mclaughlin@feest.org
- Birthdate : 1972-12-05
- Address : 632 Romaine Wall Suite 840 East Katheryn, AL 72925-8786
- Phone : +1 (754) 789-0613
- Company : Herzog PLC
- Job : Eligibility Interviewer
- Bio : Placeat libero sunt odit facere impedit. Veritatis sed et iure pariatur. Est tempore dolorem ex vel dolores.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/towne2013
- username : towne2013
- bio : Placeat quo aliquid exercitationem molestiae. Possimus inventore aut qui suscipit modi architecto. Amet eveniet perspiciatis autem natus distinctio.
- followers : 3861
- following : 2443
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/katelyn_xx
- username : katelyn_xx
- bio : Est possimus tempora qui qui molestiae a in.
- followers : 172
- following : 1828
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/katelyntowne
- username : katelyntowne
- bio : Et est sequi natus. Molestiae cum rerum et dolore quibusdam possimus.
- followers : 4779
- following : 1420
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/katelyn.towne
- username : katelyn.towne
- bio : Et neque ducimus aut ea sint consequatur ut. Nulla deleniti pariatur quia totam quo qui.
- followers : 1867
- following : 771
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@katelyn4532
- username : katelyn4532
- bio : Vel eum quo aut fuga. Laborum quo cupiditate quasi minus quaerat illo.
- followers : 1310
- following : 2259
