Frank Morgan in The Wizard of Oz as the Wizard

Frank Morgan as
The Wizard, ET Al.

This image "reprinted by permission, The Official 50th Anniversary
Pictorial History, The Wizard of Oz Warner Books NY,NY © 1989,
all rights reserved."

Born as Francis Phillip Wupperman in Manhattan, New York City. Frank's older brother George left home for a show "biz" career and took the last name of Morgan and so Frank followed suit. Frank Morgan was born on June 1, 1890. He was from a wealthy family, as his parents controlled the Angostura Bitters fortune. He was educated at fine schools and spent two years at Cornell University and then left to sell brushes door to door. Eventually ended up with big brother George doing parts on the Broadway Stage. Morgan tried his hand at silent films but in 1914 returned to Broadway until the advent of "talkies".

The last 14 years of Frank Morgan's life he made 68 films. Some of them among the best films that ever came out of the Hollywood studios. When the part came up for the Wizard in the film Wizard of Oz, it took many weeks as many people were considered for the job. One of the biggest competitors was Ed Wynn. Others who also wanted the part were Wallace Beery and W. C. Fields. From August 4, 1938 or perhaps even earlier the role was up for grabs. But with a variety of salary demands by some, and conflicting schedules for others, the role was finally given to the forty-eight-year-old Frank Morgan on September 22.

The role came to include the Wizard, Professor Marvel, the doorman, the cabby, a soldier in the Emerald City, and as a Kansas doctor in the final scene of the movie. With this many roles the costume department and makeup department all had their work cut out for them with this almost one-man show. And, what a magnificent job everyone did. Frank Morgan was positively wonderful in each and every part.

It is hard to believe that this consummate actor died just 10 years later on September 18, 1949, at the young age of 59. He died in his sleep of a massive heart attack and was survived by his wife, Alma, of 34 years, son George, two sisters and his brother Ralph Morgan.

Frank Morgan will forever be remembered fondly for the roles he played in the making of the classic film the Wizard of Oz. His place is secure in our "hearts" and "brains" with a good measure of "courage" to always find our way home.

HOMEPAGE