Hollywood’s golden age just lost another piece of its magic.
Valerie Lee, one of the last surviving child stars from The Wizard of Oz, has died at the age of 94 — marking the end of yet another living link to one of the most iconic films ever made.
Lee, who also appeared in the beloved Our Gang comedy shorts, passed away Sunday in Reseda, according to author Stephen Cox, who chronicled the lives of the film’s legendary Munchkin cast.
Born Valerie Shepard in Los Angeles in 1931, Lee was just a child when she stepped onto the MGM lot and into cinematic history. She was one of a select group of young performers chosen to bring the whimsical Munchkinland to life in the 1939 classic — even celebrating her seventh birthday during filming.
With her signature blond curls styled like Shirley Temple and dressed in a colorful pink-and-lavender costume, Lee danced alongside fellow Munchkins as they famously welcomed Dorothy Gale — played by Judy Garland — into their enchanted world.
Fans later affectionately dubbed the younger cast members “Munchkids,” a nickname that stuck for decades as the film’s legacy only grew bigger.
But Lee’s Hollywood story didn’t end in Oz.
She went on to appear in several classic Our Gang shorts throughout the early 1940s, including “Time Out for Lessons” and “Dancing Romeo,” before eventually stepping away from the spotlight. In later years, she built a quiet life far from Hollywood, working for more than 25 years managing a bookstore at Cal State Northridge.
Still, the memories of Oz never faded.
In fact, Lee often shared behind-the-scenes stories with fans — including a playful moment with Bert Lahr, who once entertained the young cast with a hilarious ventriloquist routine while off-camera.
She even made a late return to the spotlight, appearing in the 2024 documentary “Mysteries of Oz: 85 Questions Answered,” proving her connection to the legendary film endured until the very end.
Lee was married to her husband Robert Haynes for more than five decades until his death in 2002. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
With her passing, the already tiny circle of living The Wizard of Oz cast members grows even smaller. According to Cox, only one child Munchkin — Priscilla Montgomery Clark, now 96 — is believed to still be alive.
And just like that, another piece of Hollywood history fades into legend.
😢🙏