Last ‘Wizard Of Oz’ Munchkin Dead At 98 Years Old

Jerry Maren has passed away at the age of 98 years old — but in a tragic twist, the last surviving Munchkin from the "Wizard of Oz" spent his final years fighting claims that co-star Judy Garland was molested on the set!

Jerry Maren has passed away at the age of 98 years old — but in a tragic twist, the last surviving Munchkin from the "Wizard of Oz" spent his final years fighting claims that co-star Judy Garland was molested on the set!

Jerry — who'd spent his final years suffering from dementia — passed away quietly at a San Diego health facility in May 2018. The 3'4" actor (center) who found fame as a member of the Lollipop Guild was buried in Hollywood's Forest Lawn cemetery. But some showbiz insiders say he took some secrets to the grave, with a lost manuscript reviving bombshell accusations first unearthed by The National ENQUIRER.

Jerry Maren has passed away at the age of 98 years old — but in a tragic twist, the last surviving Munchkin from the "Wizard of Oz" spent his final years fighting claims that co-star Judy Garland was molested on the set!

Jerry — who'd spent his final years suffering from dementia — passed away quietly at a San Diego health facility in May 2018. The 3'4" actor (center) who found fame as a member of the Lollipop Guild was buried in Hollywood's Forest Lawn cemetery. But some showbiz insiders say he took some secrets to the grave, with a lost manuscript reviving bombshell accusations first unearthed by The National ENQUIRER.

Hollywood was rocked by last year's publication of “Judy and I: My Life with Judy Garland” — with Liza Minnelli blasting the publication of the lost memoirs written by her abusive stepfather Sidney Luft. The promoter's manuscript included one shocking revelation from "The Wizard of Oz," as he wrote that the Munchkins "would make Judy’s life miserable on set by putting their hands under her dress."

Jerry Maren has passed away at the age of 98 years old — but in a tragic twist, the last surviving Munchkin from the "Wizard of Oz" spent his final years fighting claims that co-star Judy Garland was molested on the set!

Jerry — who'd spent his final years suffering from dementia — passed away quietly at a San Diego health facility in May 2018. The 3'4" actor (center) who found fame as a member of the Lollipop Guild was buried in Hollywood's Forest Lawn cemetery. But some showbiz insiders say he took some secrets to the grave, with a lost manuscript reviving bombshell accusations first unearthed by The National ENQUIRER.

Hollywood was rocked by last year's publication of “Judy and I: My Life with Judy Garland” — with Liza Minnelli blasting the publication of the lost memoirs written by her abusive stepfather Sidney Luft. The promoter's manuscript included one shocking revelation from "The Wizard of Oz," as he wrote that the Munchkins "would make Judy’s life miserable on set by putting their hands under her dress."

Luft added that Judy, only 16 at the time of filming, was intimidated by her diminutive co-stars, noting: "The men were 40 or more years old!” The ENQUIRER had revealed the bombshell claims in Feb. 2017 — and they were given new scrutiny as Luft's lost manuscript was released amid the #MeToo movement exposing showbiz sexual harassment.

Australian journalist Gary Nunn even tried to track down last surviving munchkin Jerry Maren to comment on Luft's claims. Mark Povinelli, the president of the Little People of America, ultimately responded to Nunn's inquiries, saying that Jerry "refuted these accusations in the past, and am sure he'd do the same now if he were able to...I was told that Jerry would rather not bring any more attention to it."

Jerry was never singled out as one of Judy's attackers — and had an impressive 72-year career in showbiz. The diminutive star even enjoyed a brief spell of renewed attention after a 1997 appearance on "Seinfeld." But, said Jerry, "I've done so many things in show business, but people say, 'You were in The Wizard of Oz?' It takes people's breath away!"