'Wizard of Oz' Munchkin Meinhardt Raabe Dead at 94

By PopEater Staff Posted Apr 10th 2010 08:00AM

'Wizard of Oz' actor Meinhardt Raabe died Friday morning in Orange Park, Florida of a presumed heart attack, the NY Times has confirmed. He was 94.

According to his caregiver, Cindy Bosnyak, Raabe was taken to a nearby hospital after he collapsed and went into cardiac arrest at the Penney Retirement Community in Penney Farms, Florida, where he had lived since 1986. Prior to collapsing, Raabe complained of having a sore throat.

Raabe was best known for his uncredited, 13-second role in the Oscar-winning classic, during which he uttered the famous lines "As coroner, I must aver, I thoroughly examined her. And she's not only merely dead, She's really most sincerely dead." He was one of the last surviving Munchkins, according to the report.

Though the 'Wizard of Oz' marked his only appearance on the big screen, Raebe, who was 4 feet 7 inches at his tallest, had a long and successful career, including an almost 30-year stint as Little Oscar, mascot of Oscar Mayer meats.

A University of Wisconsin graduate and World War II veteran, Raebe was married to the late Marie Hartline, who died in 1997. He is survived by his sister, Marion Ziegelmann.

Tags: meinhardt raabe, wizard of oz

Comments

(40)

Saturday 10 April

By Linda

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He is off to see the Wizard! Wow. What a good life he had. 94 years..God bless him! RIP Meinhardt Raabe!

By kathy

Over the Rainbow you go, with Love!

By OZfan

It would be cool if they added his famous line to his headstone on his grave. How many people are known for just one famous line....especially one so fitting! Unless of course he wanted cremated.

By Joanne

You and Marie, (his wife of 50 years) are now together again. I'll miss you Meinhardt. Thanks for all the stories you told me as we traveled together over the years. Those wonderful stories will stay with me for a lifetime. You were always a wealth of information. I'm going to take this weekend and read your book again...and travel back down the "Yellow Brick Road." I enjoyed our many adventures. Thank you for being my friend. Tell Robert hello.

By WOODY

I'D RE-ELECT YOU ANYTIME MAYOR. GOD'S SPEED!

By Tammie

I love The Wizard of Oz! Always have. I can't believe they never credited him for that role, it was a very important role. Nonetheless, may he rest in peace now. :-)

By CmdrKat

Such an incredible group of little "Powerhouse People". They partied hearty during their off-camera time in the hotel where they were staying during the filming of the movie, but a grander bunch of loving people rarely exists. To meet them and listen to their life stories was fascinating. I'm glad that they had the remaining 4 on that show about 2 months ago so we could enjoy their words (and watch the "Coroner" fall asleep in his wheelchair-how precious!). God bless them all. I look forward to meeting them all in the Great Beyond. God Bless Munchins!

By hlhudgins

he is off to se the wizard

For "Retired Paratrooper"--Such kind words from a brave man. You read my mind. Glad to read you're now safely a "retired paratrooper". My respects to anyone who willingly jumps out of perfectly good airplanes....I'll stay onboard ship, thank you!

By Max

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"Wonderfulwriters"

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"Wonderfulwriter"

By THERESA

Follow the yellow brick road to heaven R.i.p

By Sunny

Follow the Yellow Brick Road into Heaven to see everyone.

Rest in Peace Mainhardi Raabe

By hanfrina

... OFF-to-"OZ!?!" THANKS for-la-MEMORIES!!!

By Doug

As coroner, I must aver, I thoroughly examined her. And he's not only merely dead, he's really most sincerely dead."

By Les

Rest in peace and thank you for the many many memories of a land we dreamed of as chidren. Journey back home to OZ and perhaps when it is our turn to travel that golden road, we will meet again. You will be missed Mainhardi Raabe.

By TLC

I had the chance to meet this wonderful man. (I live about 10 miles from where he lived.) He was the sweetest, kindest man. Sadly my daughter was only 3 at the time and has no memory of meeting him. She and I both loved him in the Wizard of Oz.
Rest in Peace Sweet Man you will be truley missed

By Sandra L

Thanks so much for being one of my favorite childhood memories :)

By Tweedle

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Follow that Yellow Brick Road to the rainbow, Mr. Raabe! The author of the article is incorrect in saying he was Little Oscar. Jerry Maren, who was the Lollipop Kid, was Little Oscar.

By Ross

Check your facts before you post ... He had a stint as Little
oscar too ... RIP

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