Hymie Lichtenstein (April 15, 1904 – December 28, 1999), better known as Harry Monty, was a Polish-American actor, dwarf actor and stuntman, whose most notable role was as a Munchkin and a winged monkey in the Wizard of Oz.[1]
Early life
Monty was born April 15, 1904 in Dallas, Texas to Frank and Lydia Lichtenstein, who had immigrated from Poland in the 1890s. He had three brothers.[2]
Career
Monty began his career in vaudeville, and appeared in various films from the 1930s to the 1970s, often uncredited.[3] He appeared in Wizard of Oz in 1939 as a Munchkin, and also as one of the Winged Monkeys. He later said he considered his role as a Munchkin to be the most important of all his roles on stage and film in his 50-year career.[3] His other film roles were in movies including Hellzapoppin', The Court Jester, Planet of the Apes, Papillon,[1] a production of Swiss Family Robinson, Three Ring Circus, Hello, Dolly!, and as a rotoscope reference actor in the 1978 animated film The Lord of the Rings.[3]