Who was the original Tin Man in 1939's The Wizard of Oz?
Ebsen was first chosen as the one to portray the Scarecrow in the 1939 film, but the actor later swapped characters with Ray Bolger to play the Tin Man in this iconic movie. Buddy Ebsen successfully went through all the rehearsals, recorded the Tin Man's part in the songs and began working, but not long after he started experiencing terrible shortness of breath. The actor was hospitalized. As it turned out, the aluminum dust used in Ebsen's costume and makeup was the reason for these health problems. Ebsen was forced to leave the production. His lung problems caused by the face paint were the bane of the actor's life until his death in 2003. Ebsen often complained about them.
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47 Comments
fdeisner
According to Snopes
Was Buddy Ebsen the Original 'Wizard of Oz' Tin Man?
After Ray Bolger
The person first slated to play the Tin Woodman in MGM's 1939 film version of 'The Wizard of Oz' was actually Ray Bolger.
Buddy Ebsen was slated to play the Tin Woodman in the 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz, but he had to be replaced after the aluminum makeup used with his costume made him gravely ill.
As part of the shifting casting that often goes on in the lead-up to motion picture productions, the person first cast to play the Tin Woodman in MGM's 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz was Ray Bolger. Buddy Ebsen (later to become familiar to generations of TV viewers as Jed clampett, the patriarch of The Beverly Hillbillies sitcom family), was originally intended for the role of the Scarecrow, but Ray Bolger eventually managed to convince MGM to allow him to swap parts with Ebsen (not, as is often claimed, because a clause in Bolger's contract stipulated that he could play the part of the Scarecrow if MGM ever made The Wizard of Oz)..
While Ebsen was recovering from his illness, producer Mervyn LeRoy hired Jack Haley to replace him. (The aluminum makeup was modified as well, changing from a powder that was brushed on to a paste that was painted on. Haley missed four days of filming when the new makeup caused an eye infection, but treatment was rendered in time to prevent any permanent damage.).
These are excerpts from a much larger article. It appears Epstein was the second person cast after Ray Bolger. But the credits in the actual movie show the Tin Man as Jack Haley.
The correct answer to the above asked question "Who was the original Tin Man in 1939's The Wizard of Oz?" Is Jack Haley.
Cathy Hall
Originally Buddy Epson was cast as the "Tin man" but due to an allergic reaction to the aluminum based powder makeup, Jack Haley replaced him.
I think this question needs more information. I believe the majority of folks would get this one wrong, unless that was the intention?
Francie Carlson
The question is poorly worded.
Cheryl Love
fdeisner, agree and reported. It was Haley.
✨KRISTA✨
"The Wizard of Oz" movie titles need to be placed in quotes😳
fdeisner
I have reported this question for having the wrong answer as the correct answer. I have a separate "What are your thoughts on this subject?".
I hope others will also report this question.
Wayne Jines
I forgot about him having a reaction to the makeup.
dmarkc
Knew Ebsen was originally cast, but isn't in the movie. Ask what you mean.
Howard Groopman
A very common trivia question.
earlepg
I went with Ebsen because he was the "original" Tin Man when the filming bagan.
Mike Hibner
Bad, Bad, Bad question!!!
John Lazier
Poorly worded, should have said who was originally cast as the Tin Man.
Richard D. Boyle
Poorly worded question. Misleading by design?
rkcorrigan
I see the correct answer as Christian Ludolf Ebsen Jr.
Scott J Pender
https://www.thevintagenews.com/2016/12/07/the-original-cast-as-tin-man-in-the-wizard-of-oz-was-hospitalized-as-a-result-of-inhaling-aluminium-powder-from-the-make-up-2/