Among the sea of midget actors and actresses in the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz, one of the faces everyone would be sure to recognize is that of Jerry Maren. Standing three feet, four inches at the time, nineteen-year old Jerry was the middle member of the Lollipop Guild, the trio of Munchkins who hand Dorothy a giant lollipop upon her arrival to Oz. As a big fan of The Wizard of Oz, I have been pleased to meet Jerry Maren on three different occasions.
Jerry hands the lollipop to Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz
Although his portrayal of the Lollipop Munchkin is his biggest claim to fame, I won’t discount some of the other films in which he appeared that have significance to me. For starters, her appeared as Light Fingered Lester, a midget thief disguised as a baby in the Our Gang M-G-M title Tiny Troubles. He also starred with the Marx Brothers in At the Circus, made an appearance as an actor from The Wizard of Oz in Under the Rainbow, and even starred in The Yada Yada episode of Seinfeld. In 2007, Jerry appeared along other surviving Munchkins at the unveiling of the star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for the Munchkins.
Jerry squares off against Porky Lee, who has also signed this photo from Tiny Troubles (1939)
Jerry as Little Oscar from the 1950’s Oscar Mayer ad campaign
I first met Jerry Maren when he was one of the many celebrity guests at the Way Out West Tent’s 25th Anniversary banquet on Saturday, June 19, 1992. He got up and gave a little speech (no pun intended) and after the banquet, I caught him in the lobby and got a photo with him then.
With Jerry in 1992
He was also present for the Wizard of Oz Festival that I attended on Saturday, September 20, 1997. I didn’t get another photo with him, but Ashleigh and I stood in line to have him sign her little autograph book.
Wanting an updated photo, I asked my friend Steve Cox to hook me up with Jerry during his appearance at the Hollywood Show on July 18, 2009. Jerry is very friendly and more than willing to pose for photos with fans whether they purchase anything or not. I, of course, over the years have amassed many autographs from Jerry on various items, several of which are displayed above.
Meeting up with Jerry again in 2009
It’s always a big thrill to meet this little guy.
Celebrities of the 1992 Way Out West banquet will continue…
Celebrities of the 2009 Hollywood Show will continue…
Did he also portray Buster Brown in the shoe commercials on “Andy’s Gang”?
Dad
November 25th, 2009
Why yes. Yes he was.
Brad
November 27th, 2009
Yes, I too remember Jerry. I considered him my “big friend” when he would appear at a annual neighborhood celebration each summer when I was growing up in S. Jersey in the 50’s.
I loved the wiener mobile too. It had a hatch at the top where one could pop their head out and look around, as I recollect.
I remember him fondly as a really nice guy but a bit quiet though. We were both about the same height back then.
I love the photos you have shared and especially the Little Oscar pic – that is precious thanks for sharing them.
Ray johnson
December 1st, 2010
It was in1971 when i meet him, he was visiting Lompoc California. I noticed the oscar mobile in front of the store. I at that time was in High School. We talked for about an hour. He told me that over the years he had given away tons of hot dogs. He was very easy to talk to and had a genuine smile!
Yishai Davidi
September 27th, 2012