Background
Born Michael Finocchiaro in Saint Louis, Missouri, Carroll was the son of Italian immigrants. He was born along with a twin sister, who, unlike Carroll, was of average size.
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Mickey Carroll
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As a child Carroll began dance lessons at the Fox Theater in Saint Louis. At 17 he was one of six bellhops in the "Call for Phillip Morris" live radio ads, and at 18 was appearing in shows with Mae West. While under contract to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, he went to school with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney.
lieutenant was Garland herself who offered him a part in The Wizard of Ounces
He stayed with her during filming. Carroll was cast as Munchkinland"s "Town Crier".
His costume consisted of a purple cloak with a yellow flower sticking out of his striped vest. He also marched as a "Munchkin Soldier", and as one of the candy-striped "Fiddlers" who escorted Dorothy down the yellow brick road towards the Emerald City.
In addition to portraying a Munchkin in that film, he dubbed over Clara Blandick"s character Aunt Econometrica in the Kansas scene where she calls out to Dorothy when the tornado approaches the farm.
Soon after the success of the film, Carroll left show business. In the mid-1940s, he returned to Saint Louis to run the family business making cemetery monuments, known as Standard Monument Company (founded 1911), which operated a shop and showroom on Saint Charles Rock Road in Wellston. After Carroll sold it in 1996, he filled his time with charity work.
In November 2007, Carroll, along with six of the other remaining Munchkins, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Thanks to the popularity of The Wizard of Oz, Carroll made many appearances that year, serving as a grand marshal in parades, appearing on nationwide radio and television shows, and signing thousands of autographs for fans. He helped raise money for several different charities.
On May 7, 2009, Carroll died in his sleep at the home of his caretaker in Crestwood, Missouri. He suffered from a heart ailment and complications from Alzheimer"s disease.
After his death, his family sued his caretaker, whom Carroll had transferred all assets to four months before his death.
After a funeral Mass at the New Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis on Lindell Boulevard, he was entombed at Calvary Cemetery Shrine Mausoleum in Saint Louis.
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Born
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Died
March 7, 2009 (aged 89) -
Nationality
United States