Margaret Hamilton (actress)
American film actress (1902–1985) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For other people named Margaret Hamilton, see Margaret Hamilton.
Margaret Brainard Hamilton (December 9, 1902 – May 16, 1985) was an American actress and educator. She was best known for her portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West and her Kansas counterpart Almira Gulch in the 1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film The Wizard of Oz.[1]
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Margaret Hamilton | |
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Born | Margaret Brainard Hamilton (1902-12-09)December 9, 1902 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
Died | May 16, 1985(1985-05-16) (aged 82) Salisbury, Connecticut, U.S. |
Alma mater | Wheelock College |
Occupation(s) | Actress, schoolteacher |
Years active | 1933–1982 |
Notable work | Miss Gulch and The Wicked Witch of the West in MGM's The Wizard of Oz (1939) |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse |
Paul Meserve
(m. 1931; div. 1938) |
Children | 1 |
Relatives | Neil Hamilton (distant cousin) Dorothy Hamilton Brush (sister) |
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A former schoolteacher, she worked as a character actress in films for seven years before she was offered the role that defined her public image. In later years, Hamilton appeared in films and made frequent cameo appearances on television sitcoms and commercials. She also gained recognition for her work as an advocate of causes designed to benefit children and animals and retained a lifelong commitment to public education.