Ruth Duccini

Ruth Leone Duccini (née Robinson; July 23, 1918 – January 16, 2014)[2] was an American actress.

Ruth Duccini
Duccini on the set of The Wizard of Oz, c. 1939
Born
Ruth Leone Robinson[1]

(1918-07-23)July 23, 1918
Rush City, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedJanuary 16, 2014(2014-01-16) (aged 95)
Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1936–2013
Known forLast surviving female adult Munchkin from 1939 film The Wizard of Oz; penultimate surviving adult Munchkin
Spouse
Fred Duccini
​
​
(m. 1943; died 1994)​

Biography

Ruth is best known as the penultimate surviving Munchkin from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Her role in the film as a Munchkin villager was not credited. Her most recent appearances were when she and the other surviving Munchkins were presented with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 21, 2007,[3] and attending the premiere of the film's 75th anniversary at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre.[4] She also was seen in Under the Rainbow (1981) and Memories of Oz (2001).

While Duccini could not recall in 2013 what she earned filming Oz,[5] the Munchkin village actors were paid $50 a week during filming, plus room/board.[6] She said of her World War II work:

"The one thing that I'm most proud of, during the Second World War, I worked on airplanes in a defense plant. I was a Rosie the Riveter. I'm really proud of that."[5]

Duccini made the news again when Margaret Thatcher died, and critics of the former British premier tried to propel "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" onto the chart to celebrate her passing. Duccini and Jerry Maren (who would become the last surviving adult Munchkin) said the song was never to be used in such a way, stating:

"Nobody deserves to be treated in such a way. When we were filming the movie no one intended it to be used in that way. I am ashamed, I really am."[7]

Duccini died in Las Vegas, at the age of 95, on January 16, 2014. She outlived every major cast member of The Wizard of Oz.[8]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1939The Wizard of OzMunchkin VillagerUncredited
1981Under the RainbowHotel Rainbow Guest
1999The Daily ShowHerself1 episode
2001Memories of Oz
2013The Making of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz

References
  1. Excerpt from Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2014 (with birth name and career details), books.google.com; accessed June 6, 2018.
  2. Birth registration data, including middle name as per Minnesota Historical Society records, people.mnhs.org; accessed June 7, 2018.
  3. "Duccini and other surviving Munchkins receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame". USA Today. November 21, 2007. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
  4. "The Munchkin Town Lady Presides in Hollywood". NBC Los Angeles. September 16, 2013. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  5. Ramin, Setoodeh (August 3, 2013). "Meet Ruth Duccini, a Munchkin From 'The Wizard of Oz'". The Daily Beast. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  6. "Mickey Carroll, A Munchkin From The 1939 Classic Film 'The Wizard Of Oz', Dies At 89". Access Hollywood. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  7. "Wizard of Oz stars upset by use of song". 3news.co.nz. 15 April 2013. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014.
  8. Potempa, Philip (January 16, 2014). "Final female 'Oz' Munchkin Ruth Duccini dead at 95". Chesterton News. Retrieved January 17, 2014.
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