Ray Bolger facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ray Bolger
Bolger in 1942
Born	Raymond Wallace Bolger (1904-01-10)January 10, 1904 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	January 15, 1987(1987-01-15) (aged 83) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Holy Cross Cemetery
Occupation	Actor dancer singer vaudevillian
Years active	1922–1985
Known for	Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz Barnaby in Babes in Toyland
Spouse(s)	Gwendolyn Rickard ​ (m. 1929)​

Raymond Wallace Bolger was a famous American actor, dancer, and singer. He was born on January 10, 1904, and passed away on January 15, 1987. He started his acting career even before movies had sound!

He was a big star on Broadway, which is live theater, especially in the 1930s. Most people remember him as the Scarecrow in the classic movie The Wizard of Oz (1939). He also played the bad guy, Barnaby, in Walt Disney's movie Babes in Toyland (1961). Ray Bolger even had his own TV show called The Ray Bolger Show from 1953 to 1955. It was first named Where's Raymond?.

Early Life and Beginnings

Raymond Wallace Bolger was born in South Boston, Massachusetts. His family was Catholic and had Irish roots. He grew up and went to school in the Dorchester area of Boston.

After high school, he worked at a peanut company and as a bank messenger. He also worked for an insurance company. But soon, he found his way to vaudeville, which was a popular type of stage entertainment. He got a role on Broadway in a show called The Passing Show of 1926.

Ray Bolger's Career Journey

Starting in Vaudeville

Ray Bolger loved entertainment from a young age. He started his career in a vaudeville tap dance show. He even created a dance act with a partner called "Sanford & Bolger."

In 1926, he danced at the famous Palace Theatre in New York City. This was the most important vaudeville theater in the United States. His flexible body and amazing dance moves helped him get many lead roles on Broadway in the 1930s. Later, he also worked in movies, television, and nightclubs. In 1932, he became a member of a theater club called The Lambs. He also performed on the opening night of Radio City Music Hall in December 1932.

Early Movie Roles

Bolger signed his first movie contract with MGM in 1936. Even though The Wizard of Oz was early in his movie career, he was in other important films. His most famous movie before Oz was The Great Ziegfeld (1936), where he played himself.

He also appeared in Sweethearts (1938). This was the first MGM movie made in Technicolor, a special color film process. It starred Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald. He was also in Rosalie (1937) with Eleanor Powell, Eddy, and Frank Morgan.

Becoming the Scarecrow

Bolger as the Scarecrow

Ray Bolger's contract with MGM said he would play any part the studio chose. He was not happy when he was first chosen to play the Tin Woodman in The Wizard of Oz. The role of the Scarecrow was first given to another dancer, Buddy Ebsen.

But then, the roles were changed around. Ray Bolger got to play the Scarecrow, which was what he wanted. Wearing the Scarecrow's makeup for the movie left permanent lines on his face.

After The Wizard of Oz

After The Wizard of Oz, Bolger moved to RKO Pictures. In 1941, he was a special performer at the Paramount Theatre in New York. He worked with the Harry James Band, doing tap dance routines. Sometimes, he would have a fun dance challenge with the band's pianist, Al Lerner.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Bolger's performance was stopped so President Franklin D. Roosevelt could announce the news. During World War II, Bolger traveled to perform in USO shows for soldiers in the Pacific. He also appeared in the wartime movie Stage Door Canteen (1943).

In 1946, he returned to MGM for a role in The Harvey Girls. That same year, he recorded a children's album called The Churkendoose. This story was about a bird that was "part chicken, turkey, duck, and goose." It taught children that beauty is seen differently by everyone.

Broadway Successes

Bolger in a publicity photo for The Bell Telephone Hour, 1963

Ray Bolger had many successful shows on Broadway. These included Life Begins at 8:40 (1934), On Your Toes (1936), and By Jupiter (1942). He also starred in All American (1962).

His most famous Broadway role was in Where's Charley? (1948). For this role, he won a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. In this show, he sang the famous song "Once in Love with Amy," which is often connected to him. He also played this role in the 1952 movie version of the musical.

Television Appearances

Bolger had his own ABC television show called Where's Raymond? from 1953 to 1954. It was later renamed The Ray Bolger Show (1954–55). He continued to appear in several movies, including Walt Disney's remake of Babes in Toyland (1961). He also had smaller roles throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Ray Bolger was a frequent guest on many TV shows. In the 1970s, he played Fred Renfrew, the father of Shirley Partridge, on The Partridge Family. He also appeared on Little House on the Prairie as Toby Noe. Other shows he guest-starred on include Battlestar Galactica, Fantasy Island, and The Love Boat.

In the late 1970s, Bolger was in a commercial for Safeway Supermarket. He sang a jingle that said, "Scotch Buy - 'taint fancy, but it shore is good." His last TV appearance was on Diff'rent Strokes in 1984, three years before he passed away.

In his later years, he danced in a Dr Pepper TV commercial. In 1985, he and Liza Minnelli starred in That's Dancing!. Liza Minnelli is the daughter of Judy Garland, who played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. The film was written by Jack Haley, Jr., whose father, Jack Haley, played the Tin Woodman in The Wizard of Oz.

Awards and Recognition

In 1998, Ray Bolger received a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, California. This honor recognized his contributions to the entertainment industry.

In 2016, the City of Boston honored Ray Bolger with a mural. It was painted in the Codman Square area of the Dorchester neighborhood where he grew up.

Personal Life

Ray Bolger was married to Gwendolyn Rickard for over 57 years. They did not have any children. He was a Roman Catholic and a member of his church in Beverly Hills, California.

Bolger was a lifelong Republican. He supported Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential election and Richard Nixon in the 1968 election. He had 11 nieces and nephews.

Later Years and Legacy

Ray and Gwendolyn Bolger's grave at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City

Ray Bolger was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 1986. His health got worse at the end of that year. He moved from his Beverly Hills home to a nursing home in Los Angeles. He passed away there on January 15, 1987, just five days after his 83rd birthday. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City.

When he passed away, Bolger was the last main actor from The Wizard of Oz who was still alive. He was the only Oz co-star to attend Judy Garland's funeral. He was with Harold Arlen, who wrote the song "Over the Rainbow".

When asked if he received money from The Wizard of Oz being shown on TV, Bolger would say: "No, just immortality. I'll settle for that." His Scarecrow character is considered one of the "most beloved movie characters of all time."

For his work in movies, Bolger received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960. It is located at 6788 Hollywood Boulevard. In 2019, the first full book about Ray Bolger, More Than a Scarecrow by Holly Van Leuven, was published.

Filmography

Stage Work

See also

In Spanish: Ray Bolger para niños