#29: The Tin Man Had to Be Hospitalized

The Tin Man in the 1939 film, portrayed by Jack Haley, carries a behind-the-scenes tale of a last-minute replacement and an unfortunate health crisis. Initially, Buddy Ebsen had been cast as the Tin Man, but after only nine days of filming, he found himself hospitalized due to severe respiratory distress. Ebsen’s dire condition was attributed to the white makeup he had been wearing, which was laced with noxious aluminum dust.

Inhaling this harmful substance had a detrimental effect on his health, leading to his hospitalization and subsequent replacement by Jack Haley. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards and health risks that actors faced during the era of filmmaking, even while bringing beloved characters like the Tin Man to life on screen.