Margaret Hamilton (actress) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Margaret Hamilton
|
|
|---|---|
Hamilton, c. 1958
|
|
| Born |
Margaret Brainard Hamilton
December 9, 1902 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
|
| Died | May 16, 1985 (aged 82) Salisbury, Connecticut, U.S.
|
| Alma mater | Wheelock College |
| Occupation | Actress, schoolteacher |
| Years active | 1933–1982 |
|
Notable work
|
Miss Gulch and The Wicked Witch of the West in MGM's The Wizard of Oz (1939) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Paul Meserve
(m. 1931; div. 1938) |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Neil Hamilton (distant cousin) Dorothy Hamilton Brush (sister) |
Margaret Brainard Hamilton (born December 9, 1902 – died May 16, 1985) was an American actress and teacher. She is most famous for playing the Wicked Witch of the West in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. She also played the Witch's Kansas character, Almira Gulch.
Before becoming a full-time actress, Margaret was a schoolteacher. She worked in many films for seven years. Later in her life, she appeared in more movies and often made short appearances on TV shows and in commercials. Margaret was also known for helping children and animals. She always believed in the importance of public education.
Contents
Early life and education
Margaret Hamilton was born in Cleveland, Ohio. Her parents were W.J. Hamilton and Jennie Adams. She went to Hathaway Brown School.
Her parents wanted her to go to college before acting. So, she attended Wheelock College in Boston. After college, she became a kindergarten teacher.
Becoming a film star
Margaret Hamilton's first movie was Another Language in 1933. She acted alongside famous stars like Helen Hayes. She appeared in many other films, often playing unique characters. These included These Three (1936) and Nothing Sacred (1937).
She also appeared in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938). Margaret worked hard to support herself and her son. She never signed a long-term contract with one movie studio. This allowed her to work on many different projects.
She also acted with famous comedians like Buster Keaton and Lou Costello. In 1960, she played a housekeeper in the horror film 13 Ghosts. Margaret was known for her fast, serious way of speaking. She also had a deep singing voice.
Her most famous role: The Wicked Witch
In 1939, Margaret Hamilton took on her most famous role. She played the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz. She acted opposite Judy Garland, who played Dorothy. The Witch became one of the most memorable movie villains ever.
Later in life, Margaret often joked about playing the Witch. She once said that she needed money at the time. Her agent called her about a part in The Wizard of Oz. She was excited because it was her favorite book since she was four. When her agent told her the part was "The Witch," she was surprised!
Margaret worried that her scary movie role might make children afraid of her. But in real life, she loved children very much. She often gave money to charities that helped kids.
TV and stage performances
In the 1940s and 1950s, Margaret had a long-running role on the radio show Ethel and Albert. She played a sweet, slightly confused character named Aunt Eva. She also appeared on TV shows like The Phil Silvers Show.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Margaret was often on television. She played Hester Frump, Morticia Addams's mother, in three episodes of The Addams Family. She had been offered the role of Grandmama but turned it down.
Margaret started her acting career on stage in the 1930s. After moving from Los Angeles, she worked a lot in theater. She performed on Broadway in musicals like Goldilocks and Show Boat. In 1968, she played Aunt Eller in Oklahoma!. She even played the Wicked Witch again in special stage versions of The Wizard of Oz.
Margaret also acted in soap operas. She played Mrs. Sayre on Valiant Lady and Katie on The Secret Storm. In the early 1970s, she joined As the World Turns.
She appeared as herself on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood several times. She also played the Wicked Witch again in The Paul Lynde Halloween Special in 1976. Margaret continued acting regularly until 1982.
Personal life
Margaret Hamilton married Paul Boynton Meserve on June 13, 1931. They divorced in 1938. They had one son, Hamilton Wadsworth Meserve, whom she raised by herself. Margaret had three grandchildren: Christopher, Scott, and Margaret. She never married again.
Later years and legacy
Margaret's early experience as a teacher meant she always cared about education. She was part of the Beverly Hills Board of Education from 1948 to 1951. She also taught Sunday school in the 1950s. In 1979, she spoke to a children's literature class at the University of Connecticut.
She passed away from a heart attack on May 16, 1985, at age 82. She had been living in a nursing home for six months before her death. Margaret Hamilton's body was cremated.
Interesting facts about Margaret Hamilton
- Margaret was chosen to play the Wicked Witch of the West after another actress, Gale Sondergaard, turned down the role.
- Even though Margaret loved children, they were often scared to meet her because of her scary Witch character.
- Her famous line from The Wizard of Oz – "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!" – was ranked 99th among the most memorable movie quotes in 2005.
- On December 23, 1938, Margaret was hurt during filming. She suffered burns to her face and hand during a scene where the Witch disappears in a puff of smoke. She had to recover for six weeks before finishing the movie. After that, she refused to do any more scenes involving fire.
- She remained good friends with her Wizard of Oz co-star Ray Bolger, who played the Scarecrow.
- Margaret lived in Manhattan for most of her life. She spent summers in a cottage in Southport, Maine. Later, she moved to Millbrook, New York.
- The American Film Institute ranks her role as the Wicked Witch of the West as the fourth-greatest movie villain of all time. She is also considered the greatest female villain.
- Margaret Hamilton was only five feet tall.
Images for kids
-
Hamilton as Madame Armfeldt in the national tour of A Little Night Music, 1974
-
Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, and Jack Haley reunited in 1970, a year after the death of co-star Judy Garland
See also
In Spanish: Margaret Hamilton (actriz) para niños
