Olive Brasno
Olive Brasno (October 17, 1917 – January 25, 1998) was a dwarf dancer and actress who was known for her song and dance act with her brother, George. She also appeared in a few films through the 1930s and 1940s.
Olive Brasno | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | October 17, 1917 |
| Died | January 25, 1998 (aged 80) Lakeland, Florida, U.S. |
| Resting place | Saint Marys Cemetery, East Brunswick, New Jersey |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, dancer |
| Years active | 1933–1959 |
| Spouse | Gus Wayne (~1961-1998) (his death)[1] |
Born in the community of Old Bridge, New Jersey, and later residing in South River, Olive and George Brasno were first recognized as a brother-and-sister dwarf singing team in a partnership with Buster Shaver's vaudeville act.[2][3]
Career
Dancer/actress Olive Brasno Wayne spent the bulk of her career performing on stage, but she also occasionally appeared in feature films. She launched her professional career dancing and singing in vaudeville along with her brother George Brasno. The act was called "Buster Shaver, Olive and George", and it toured nationally. She and George appeared in Little Miss Broadway (1938) opposite Shirley Temple. Other film credits include The Mighty Barnum (1934) and Sitting Pretty (1933). She and her brother appeared in one of the original Charlie Chan films with Warner Oland, Charlie Chan at the Circus, in 1936. She appeared with her brother in at least two Our Gang shorts, singing "The Ice Cream Song" in "Shrimps for a Day."
She was offered a part as a "Munchkin" in The Wizard of Oz (1939) but turned it down because she and her brother were making more money in vaudeville.[3][4]
Personal life
Olive Brasno married dwarf actor Gus Wayne, who played one of the Munchkin soldiers in The Wizard of Oz; the couple were married for 37 years.[4]
Death
Olive Brasno died in Lakeland, Florida, on January 25, 1998, at the age of 80. After 37 years of marriage, she outlived her husband by two days.[1]
References
- Galloway, Doug. "Olive Brasno Wayne, 80; Midget actress turned down role in Oz", Variety (magazine), March 2, 1998. Accessed December 26, 2017. "Olive Brasno Wayne, a midget actress who worked with a number of top entertainment luminaries during the 1930s, died Jan. 25 of heart failure at a hospital in Lakeland, Fla. She was 80.... Her husband of 37 years, Gus Wayne, also a midget actor who did appear in The Wizard of Oz, predeceased her by two days (see accompanying obituary)."
- Shultise, Walter S. (December 16, 1945). "The Brasnos, Midget Trio of East Brunswick, Now in Musical on Broadway". The Sunday Times. New Brunswick, New Jersey. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- Kemp, Heather Wendt for Weird NJ. "Weird NJ: The Brasnos – Old Bridge’s movie heroes", Asbury Park Press, April 23, 2017. Accessed December 26, 2017.
- "Olive Brasno | Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos | AllMovie".