Prince Denis (January 26, 1900 – June 20, 1984) was a French-born American actor of sideshows and film with dwarfism, best known for his role as the Munchkin Sergeant-at-Arms in the 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz".

Prince Denis
Born(1900-01-26)January 26, 1900
Bidache, France
DiedJune 20, 1984(1984-06-20) (aged 84)
Other namesPrince Dennison
OccupationActor
Spouse(s)Ethel W. Denis
(m.1939-1968)

Early life

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Originally from France, Denis moved to the United States and changed his name to Dennison before eventually legally changing it to Prince Denis.

Career

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Denis toured various circuses, including the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, with his two sisters, Princess Marguerite and Lady Little.[1] Denis would later go on to appear in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz at the age of 25. His wife Ethel also had a minor role as a Munchkin in the film.[2] He stated that he had played the role of the mayor of Munchkinland and that Charlie Becker, who had played the mayor, was selected to play the sergeant-in-arms. It was later learned that Denis had lied for more publicity.[3]

Denis later went on to appear in films such as The Greatest Show on Earth and Three Wise Fools.

Death

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Denis died at the Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on June 20, 1984, at the age of 84.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Prince Denis, 84, Performer Who Played Munchkin Mayor". The New York Times. 24 June 1984.
  2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-05-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. ^ Stephen Cox. The Munchkins of Oz. Cumberland House Publishing. 2002. 173-174.
  4. ^ "The Evening Independent - Google News Archive Search".