You may be wondering who played the Tin Man in this popular Disney movie. There are four possible candidates. They are Buddy Ebsen, Jack Haley, Ray Bolger and Samantha Shuma. Let’s take a look. You might be surprised to see which of them was cast.
Buddy Ebsen
“Buddy Ebsen” was an American actor. His career spanned seven decades. He was known for his role as Jed Clampett in the CBS sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies,” and he also played the role of Barnaby Jones on the television drama Barnaby Jones.
After the original production closed, Ebsen was approached by producer Mervyn LeRoy to play the Tin Man. After a little convincing, the studio agreed to give him the part. Ebsen went through the required rehearsals and even recorded some songs as the Tin Man. But as the film progressed, his health started to deteriorate. Doctors determined that aluminum dust in the makeup had caused his health problems.
Before becoming a famous movie star, Ebsen had a successful dance career. He appeared in several films, including Captain January, with Shirley Temple. His performance earned him a role in the film The Wizard of Oz. Initially, he was cast as the Scarecrow, but his role was changed to the Tin Man. Unfortunately, he developed an allergic reaction to the makeup that contained aluminum. This caused him to miss some filming.
Jack Haley
John Joseph Haley Jr. was an American actor, comedian, dancer, radio host, and vaudevillian who gained fame playing the Tin Man in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. Although he had an extensive career as an entertainer, Haley’s greatest acting accomplishment was as the Tin Man.
Haley was a wildcard actor who had to act in several films to earn his living as an actor. The role was challenging and required him to sing as well as entertain audiences. In addition to performing as the Tin Man, Haley played his counterpart, Hickory Twicker, a farmhand from Kansas.
His last film was a short cameo in his son’s film Norwood. The actor later died of a heart attack. He was 80 years old when he died.
Ray Bolger
The character of the Tin Man in the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” was played by Ray Bolger. This tall, slender man was originally known as the Scarecrow. He had a woven pattern on his face, which he was required to wear for more than a year.
Bolger was born in Boston and had a love of vaudeville in his childhood. After getting fired from his job for dancing in the hallways, he began working in the theater. He began by busking on street corners and eventually got his first paying gig in a repertory company.
While Ebsen had been initially assigned to play the role, he opted out due to health problems. He had to go to the hospital and undergo a lengthy recovery. A second casting call resulted. Ebsen’s health was ruined by aluminum poisoning. He subsequently lost the role and was replaced by Bill Haley.
Samantha Shuma
The cast of Tinman and the Scarecrow is diverse. Samantha Shuma played Dorothy, with a British accent that set her apart from the other Ozians and her mother, who also has a British accent. She also missed a few lines leading into the songs, which added to the comical feel of the show.
Samantha Shuma played Tinman in a stage production at the Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester, which will be filmed and streamed for a limited UK audience. The show was directed by Matthew Xia and stars Andile Mabhena and Samantha Shuma. Other cast members include Dylan Gordon-Jones, Marisha Morgan, and Shaye McPherson.
Tarik Frimpong
Tarik Frimpong is an Ethiopian-Ghanaian-Australian actor, singer, and dancer. He made his feature film debut in “Mary Poppins Returns.” He has also appeared in “The Lion King Musical” and “MADIBA the Musical” as a standby. He has also appeared in numerous dance videos and commercials.
Throughout the story, a cast of characters are brought to life by talented actors. The cast includes Cherelle Williams as Dorothy, Jonathan Andre as the Lion, Tarik Frimpong as the Tinman, and Llewellyn Graham as the Scarecrow. The ensemble also includes Kofi Dennis, Anelisa Lamola, Ashh Blackwood, and Marisha Morgan.