The role of ‘Tin Man’ starred Buddy Ebsen. In the film, Ebsen played the role of a man who suffers from an allergic reaction to aluminum dust. Unfortunately, the actor had to leave the production because he was unable to continue working due to his illness. He explained his story in a 2005 DVD interview. He said that MGM studio heads did not believe that Ebsen had become ill. It was not until a nurse intervened that the studio was forced to let him leave the film.
Frank ‘Buddy’ Ebsen
After being cast as the Tin Man in the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz,” Frank ‘Buddy’ Ebsan fell ill from the aluminum dust he had inhaled while rehearsing the role. He was forced to leave the production. Fortunately, a record of his original vocals is preserved in one scene of the film.
Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the Tin Man, but he developed a severe allergic reaction to aluminum powder makeup after a week of filming. He was later hospitalized for respiratory distress. In the meantime, Jack Haley was cast in his place. Eventually, the producers decided to ditch the aluminum powder and use aluminum paste instead.
Virge Blessing
Ebsen had his start in television before being cast in Tin Man, with several televised appearances, including the series 77 Sunset Strip and Stars Over Hollywood. His career continued to expand beyond theater, and he also played a variety of roles on the small screen. He is best known for his role as Doc Golightly in the cult classic Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
While studying medicine, Ebsen began to pursue a career in show business, and he relocated to New York in 1928. He landed a part in the chorus of the Florenz Ziegfeld production Whoopee, starring Eddie Cantor. He teamed up with his sister, Vilma, and was soon spotted by newspaper columnist Walter Winchell.
Virge Blessing in Barnaby Jones
The character of Barnaby Jones was a milk-drinking detective who came out of retirement to investigate the death of his son. This popular television series lasted eight and a half seasons and featured 178 episodes. It was one of the final detective dramas to air during the 1970s. The show also featured a cast that included Lee Meriwether as Betty Jones. In addition to playing the main character, Ebsen appeared in two other television productions, as a preacher in the Broadway play Beverly Hillbillies, and in the film version of the same name.
Jed Clampett in Sizzling Cold Case
“Sizzling Cold Case” was a television series that starred actor Buddy Ebsen as private investigator Jed Clampett. The series also starred Irene Ryan, Max Baer Jr., and Nancy Kulp. Ebsen was a frequent guest star on other television series. His character Jed Clampett was a private detective who worked in Los Angeles.
Barnaby Jones’ character in the 1970s’s television series The Beverly Hillbillies has a similar role in Sizzling Cold Case. He revives a cold case involving the murder of Lori London, a young girl who was known to the Jones family. The police have ruled her death a suicide, but Barnaby is determined to solve the case and bring the killer to justice.
Allergic reaction to makeup
During the production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’, the original Tin Man, Buddy Ebsen, almost died from an allergic reaction to his makeup. The makeup contained aluminum dust, which made Ebsen very ill. The aluminum powder irritated his eyes and required surgery to remove the make-up.
The allergic reaction caused by the aluminum dust contained in Buddy’s makeup resulted in a severe infection in the actor’s lungs. He spent 2 weeks in the hospital and then spent another month recuperating in San Diego. The episode caused director Richard Thorpe to sack him from the film.
Career in television
After a career on Broadway, actor Buddy Ebsen is most famous for his roles on television. He appeared opposite Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and starred with Shirley Temple in Captain January. Ebsen was originally cast as the Scarecrow in the 1939 movie adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz,” but he quit the role after an allergic reaction to the makeup. The role eventually went to actor Jack Haley. In his later years, Ebsen co-starred in the Walt Disney film Davy Crockett.
The role was offered to him by the studio. After auditioning and recording songs, Ebsen was cast in the role. However, Ebsen had to leave the filming after only nine days due to an allergic reaction to the aluminum dust and make-up. His replacement, Jack Haley, quickly took the role. Ebsen suffered trouble breathing for many years afterwards.