‘Wizard of Oz’ Munchkin Elaine Merk Binder dead at 94
One of the last remaining Munchkin’s characters in the 1939 classic MGM “Wizard of Oz” died.
Elaine Merk Binder, who played as one of the happy little people in the film at the age of 8, was 94 years old, according to Variety. Binder’s IMDB page indicates that the native of Colorado died on Sunday in Los Angeles, but does not list any cause of death.
In addition to her role on the big screen not credited alongside Judy Garland and Ray Bolger, she would have had experience on stage and on the radio.
Binder would have cut the cup as one of the eight children chosen to sing and dance with the Munchkin ensemble when she auditioned for the role in 1938. She once described the process of landing the role as “frightening” for a child.
According to Variety, she is seen in the “Wizard of Oz” carrying a dress and a dark green hat while the casting sings “to see the sorcerer”.
Rather than pursuing a career in the show business, Binder would have attended the Western College, where she graduated in 1951 before obtaining a mastery of Cal State Los Angeles. This had led him to find work as a computer consultant for the University of Southern California.
Binder would have left his son in mourning, George Binder, his daughter Annette Phillips and six grandchildren.
