Karl Slover facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karl Slover
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Karl Slover in June 2006
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| Born |
Karl Kosiczky
September 21, 1918 Prakfalva, Kingdom of Hungary
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| Died | November 15, 2011 (aged 93) Dublin, Georgia, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1937–2009 |
Karl Slover was an American actor born in Slovakia. He was born on September 21, 1918, and passed away on November 15, 2011. He is most famous for playing several Munchkin characters in the classic movie The Wizard of Oz (1939). When Karl Slover died, only three other adult Munchkin actors from the movie were still alive.
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Early Life
Karl Slover was born Karl Kosiczky in a place called Prakovce, which was then part of the Kingdom of Hungary. From a young age, doctors found that he had pituitary dwarfism. This meant he was very short. By his eighth birthday, he was barely two feet tall. His parents were of average height; his father was six feet six inches tall, and his mother was only a bit shorter. Karl's father tried many things to help him grow taller, even taking him to Hungary for special treatments.
Becoming an Actor
When Karl was just nine years old, his father sent him to work. He joined a traveling show that was based in Berlin, Germany. He worked with this show for several years. Later, Karl moved to the United States and joined another traveling show. Soon, he started acting in movies. Some of his early films included The Terror of Tiny Town, Block-Heads, and Bringing Up Baby.
The Wizard of Oz
Karl Slover was working in Hawaii with his circus when his manager sent him to Hollywood. Movie makers needed many little people for a new film called The Wizard of Oz. Karl was 21 years old and stood 4 feet 4 inches tall. In the movie, he played four different Munchkin characters. He was the first trumpeter, a soldier, one of the sleepy heads, and he sang "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" with other Munchkins.
Some of his co-stars in The Wizard of Oz were The Matina Triplets. Their names were Bela, Lajos, and Matjus. They were from Budapest and also played Munchkins in the film.
After Oz
After filming The Wizard of Oz, Karl Slover joined a group called the 'Original World Famous Singers Midget Show'. He traveled all over the United States, singing and dancing. This show ended in 1942. After that, Karl joined the Royal American Carnival in Tampa, Florida. Around this time, he changed his last name to Slover, which was the last name of his stage manager.
Later Years and Legacy
Karl Slover stayed very active even when he was older. He often took part in events that celebrated The Wizard of Oz. Every June, he would attend parties for Judy Garland's birthday. Judy Garland played Dorothy in the movie. These events were held at the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.
In November 2007, Karl Slover joined seven other Munchkin actors in Hollywood. There, they received a special star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This star was dedicated to all the Munchkins from the movie.
Death
Karl Slover passed away on November 15, 2011, when he was 93 years old. He was living in an assisted living home in Dublin, Georgia. He was buried in a cemetery in Rentz. When Karl Slover died, three other Munchkin actors from The Wizard of Oz were still alive. They were Jerry Maren, Margaret Williams Pellegrini, and Ruth Robinson Duccini. Karl Slover lived longer than all the main actors from the movie.
Film Appearances
Karl Slover appeared in several movies and TV shows. Here are some of the most notable ones:
- They Gave Him a Gun (1937)
- Bringing Up Baby (1938)
- Block-Heads (1938)
- The Terror of Tiny Town (1938) – He played the barber, Sammy.
- The Wizard of Oz (1939) – He played several Munchkin roles.
- The Lost Weekend (1945)
- We're Off to See the Munchkins (1993) – He appeared as himself.
- I Married a Munchkin (1994) – He appeared as himself.
- The Daily Show (1999) – He was on one episode.
- Memories of Oz (2001) – He appeared as himself.
- Entertainment Tonight (2005) – He was on one episode.
- Hollywood Celebrates Its Biggest Little Stars! (2009) – He appeared as himself.
