Actress Who Famously Played an Adorable ‘Wizard of Oz’ Munchkin Dies at 94

Who were you favorite characters from The Wizard of Oz?

Elaine Merk Binder, who portrayed one of the lovable munchkins in the legendary film, died on Sunday, September 21, TMZ reports. She was 94.

Binder’s daughter, Annette Phillips, confirmed the death to TMZ. The cause of death is unclear.

As the outlet noted, most of the actors who played munchkins in the 1939 movie have died, with Binder having been one of the last few who were still alive.

Binder had auditioned for The Wizard of Oz in 1938 and was one of 8 munchkins who dance and sing in the movie. She turned 8 years old while filming on the MGM lot.

In the film, just before the cast launches into the famed song “You’re Off to See the Wizard,” Binder can be spotted as one of the dancers in a pavilion at the rear, wearing a dark green dress and hat, as TMZ noted.

Starring Judy Garland and other Hollywood legends, The Wizard of Oz was released more than 85 years ago and was a major influence on filmmakers such as David Lynch, who died earlier this year at age 78.

As the year 2025 trucks on, the movie is still very much making its mark on society in a remarkable and unique way: It’s currently screening at the Sphere in Las Vegas for $200 a ticket.

According to a report published earlier this month, Oz will will push James Dolan‘s coveted Sin City venue to $500 million in gross profits next year. The Hollywood Reporter published the findings on September 8.

Wolfe Research analyst Peter Supino forecasts that the Sphere may be “The world’s most profitable venue,” and that the stunning success of The Wizard of Oz — for which hundreds of thousands of tickets have already been sold — will likely kickstart a years-long process to adapt more titles, THR reports.

This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.