This verified overview provides current 2024 status and career profiles for the principal cast of The Wizard of Oz (1939). Each performer’s role in the film, present-day activities, and reliable sources for further research are clarified below.
Key Cast Roles and Character Names
Main Performers and Their Characters
The primary lineup of actors and the characters they portrayed in The Wizard of Oz are listed in the table below, along with their credited names and the year of the film’s release.
| Actor | Character in The Wizard of Oz | Year of Film Release |
|---|---|---|
| Judy Garland | Dorothy Gale | 1939 |
| Ray Bolger | Hunk / Scarecrow | 1939 |
| Jack Haley | Zeke / Tin Man | 31939 |
| Bert Lahr | Zeke / Cowardly Lion | 1939 |
| Clara Blandick | Aunt Em | 1939 |
| Charley Grapewin | Uncle Henry | 1939 |
| Margaret Hamilton | Wicked Witch of the West | 1939 |
| Walsh the Brave | Guard at Emerald City | 1939 |
| Billie Burke | Glinda the Good Witch | 1939 |
Current 2024 Status for Each Principal Cast Member
Because The Wizard of Oz was released in 1939, all principal cast members are deceased. The following entries describe their final years and confirm that no main cast member is alive in 2024.
- Judy Garland (Dorothy Gale): Died June 22, 1969. No longer living in 2024.
- Ray Bolger (Scarecrow / Hunk): Died January 15, 1987. No longer living in 2024.
- Jack Haley (Tin Man / Zeke): Died June 6, 1979. No longer living in 2024.
- Bert Lahr (Lion / Zeke): Died December 4, 1967. No longer living in 2024.
- Clara Blandick (Aunt Em): Died April 15, 1962. No longer living in 2024.
- Charley Grapewin (Uncle Henry): Died February 2, 1956. No longer living in 2024.
- Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch of the West): Died May 16, 1985. No longer living in 2024.
- Walsh the Brave (Guard at Emerald City): Died September 16, 1947. No longer living in 2024.
- Billie Burke (Glinda the Good Witch): Died May 14, 1970. No longer living in 2024.
Why There Is No 2024 Cast Reunion or New Activity
As of 2024, none of the original main cast members are alive; therefore, there are no plans for cast reunions involving the surviving performers from the 1939 film. Industry discussions about The Wizard of Oz in 2024 focus on legacy tributes, retrospective broadcasts, and archival projects rather than new on-screen appearances by the original cast.
Where to Find Current Information About the Cast
For ongoing interest in The Wizard of Oz, authoritative sources include studio archives, reputable film databases, and historical societies that maintain records on classic cinema. These resources provide accurate context without speculating about the return of performers who passed away decades ago.
Conclusion
As of 2024, all principal actors who appeared in The Wizard of Oz (1939) have died. Their legacies endure through the film’s ongoing cultural influence, but no cast member is currently living or active in new productions related to the movie.