Recently deceased 'Oz' munchkin visited Cape

The world of popular culture lost one of its icons Wednesday when Margaret Pellegrini, one of the last surviving munchkins from the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz," died from complications of a stroke.

Pellegrini, 89, died at a hospital near Phoenix, where she had been admitted after suffering a stroke Aug. 5.

One of the "sleepy head" kids who wore a flowerpot on her head, Pellegrini was 15 years old and stood 3-foot-4 inches when she appeared as a munchkin in "The Wizard of Oz." Outside of an uncredited role in Dalton Trumbo's "Johnny Got His Gun" in 1971, it was Pellegrini's only appearance on the silver screen. But after "The Wizard of Oz" experienced a rebirth in popularity in the 1950s, Pellegrini made countless appearances as her munchkin character at Oz-themed conventions and events.

In 2008, Pellegrini made nightly appearances during Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School's stage production of "The Wizard of Oz."

"She was warm, witty and just delightful," said Mike Dumey, music instructor at Central Junior High and director of "The Wizard of Oz" production in 2008. "She answered questions every night before our shows."

Dumey said Pellegrini was complimentary of the junior-high production and happily signed autographs even though the line of people ran the length of the junior high gym. She also addressed the junior high students at an assembly, and Dumey said he has never forgotten her message.

"The heart of it was, 'Don't let anything get in the way of your dreams,'" he said.

Dumey said he remembered Pellegrini as being a "very determined lady," despite her short stature.

"She was quite independent," he said, "and she lived as full a life as anyone could have."

According to Dumey, Pellegrini's appearances during the junior high stage run of "The Wizard of Oz" can be attributed to Chuck Heady of Cape Girardeau.

"I asked Chuck about the possibility of Margaret coming to our performances," he said. "The next thing I knew, she was here."

Heady, 68, had been friends with Pellegrini since 1992. A devoted fan of "The Wizard of Oz" and owner of an extensive memorabilia collection, Heady said their friendship was formed after he had spoken with other munchkins who were making an appearance in Poplar Bluff, Mo.

"They told me she lived in Phoenix," he said. "I had a sister who lived there, too, and when I visited my sister I gave Margaret a call. She said that we should have lunch together."

Heady said he visited with Pellegrini regularly during the next 21 years.

"She was very giving and friendly," he said. "A wonderful person. My wife Janet enjoyed her company, as well."

Heady said Pellegrini often told him stories related to the filming of "The Wizard of Oz."

"Margaret said that Judy Garland was such a nice person," he said. "She would always have candy for the munchkins in her dressing room. She also gave each of them signed 8-by-10 photos of herself."

But with Pellegrini's passing Wednesday, Heady said it was a sad time for him.

"I'll miss her a lot," he said. "She was so sweet, and we had a great relationship for over 20 years."

With Pellegrini's death, only two of the 124 munchkins cast in "The Wizard of Oz" survive, according to foxnews.com. The surviving munchkins are Jerry Maren, 93, and Ruth Duccini, 95.

klewis@semissourian.com

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