Pat Walshe
| Pat Walshe | |
|---|---|
 Pat Walshe in Panic in the Streets | |
| Born |
July 26, 1900 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died |
December 11, 1991 (aged 91) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Cause of death | Heart attack |
Resting place | Westwood Memorial Park |
| Occupation | Actor, Animal impersonator |
| Years active | 1939-1950 |
| Height | 3 ft 8 in (112 cm) |
| Signature |
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Pat Walshe (July 26, 1900 – December 11, 1991) was an American dwarf actor and animal impersonator. He was most famous for playing Nikko, the head of the Winged Monkeys in The Wizard of Oz. He appeared in only four films, and most of his work was in theatre. He was often noted for his short stature and stood approximately 3 feet 8 inches (1.12 m).
Life and career
Pat Walshe was born on July 26, 1900, in New York City. As a child he performed in vaudeville and appeared in his first Broadway show when he was thirteen, it was a stage production of A Good Little Devil. Many of the shows cast were brought over to appear in the film version, and it is possible that Walshe did appear in the film. But, as four of the film's five reels are missing, it is not known for sure. As an adult he continued to perform vaudeville, where he became an animal impersonator, due to his short stature. He also joined midget troupes and circuses while touring around Europe. In 1931 he appeared in his second Broadway show, Fine and Dandy. As well as being able to act like animals, he also could make sounds like them.
Due to his skill in being able to act like animals and his short stature, he was given the part of Nikko in The Wizard of Oz. This earned him modest fame. Ten years later, he made his next film appearances when he played a member of the Hatfield family in Roseanna McCoy and as an extra in Pinky. His final film was Panic in the Streets, where he made a cameo appearance as himself.
Death
On December 11, 1991, in Los Angeles, Walshe died of a heart attack at the age of 91. By this time he was the last surviving credited cast member of The Wizard of Oz. His resting place is Westwood Memorial Park.
Filmography
- The Wizard of Oz (1939)
- Roseanna McCoy (1949)
- Pinky (1949)
- Panic in the Streets (1950)
Theatre credits
- Vaudeville (1910-1991)
- A Good Little Devil (1913)
- European Circus (1920-1938)
- Fine and Dandy (1931)
- Various midget troupes (1910-1938)
References
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