RIP To A Munchkin

From the San Fran Chronicle: Ruth Robinson Duccini, the last of the original female Munchkins from the 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz," has died. She was 95.

With her death, only one actor who played one of the original 124 Munchkins in the movie remains alive.

Duccini died of natural causes in Solari Hospice Care Center in Las Vegas on Thursday.

Her death was confirmed by Stephen Cox, author of "The Munchkins of Oz." He says he learned of it from Duccini's son.

Duccini, born in Rush City, Minn., traveled to California with a troupe little people, and was cast in the MGM fantasy movie starring Judy Garland. Duccini was 4 feet tall.

Cox provided a recent statement made by Duccini about her time on the movie set.

"It was long hours and heavy costumes. We didn't have much time for ourselves. It was all new to me then, and I loved being a part of what is now a classic," she said.  http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Wizard-of-Oz-Munchkin-Ruth-Robinson-Duccini-dies-5150695.php#photo-5735172

The Wizard of Oz is one of my all time favorites.  When I was in junior high school in Wauwatosa, WI., I was in the play and played a flying monkey and that pretty much was my acting career.