A Childhood Favorite Passes Away: Meinhardt Raabe – 1915-2010
Countless generations have viewed the MGM Classic musical The Wizard of Oz, and it is with sadness that we add Meinhardt Raabe to the list of those whose passing we announce. Best known for his role as ‘The Coroner’ who proclaimed the ‘Wicked Witch of the East’ dead, Meinhardt was loved by hundreds of thousands of people. He passed away yesterday morning in a Florida hospital at age 94.
Meinhardt appeared at several Hollywood Shows over the years, and never tired of repeating the lines that made him famous. “As coroner I must aver, I thoroughly examined her, And she’s not only merely dead, she’s really most sincerely dead.”
Now it is our turn to add a few thoughts of our own. “As an actor, we’ll remember you, and as a person, we will treasure you, for you’re not only merely in our hearts, you’re truly part of our hearts.” Farewell, Mr. Raabe. May there be a yellow brick road be waiting for you in Heaven.
October 5, 2010 at 2:10 pm
We can only hope that when the awards shows roll their IN MEMORIAMs, they remember these colorful contributors to Hollywood legend. Today’s talents have built their careers on the backs of these giuants, even ones like Raabe: small in stature, iconic in our culture.
June 6, 2011 at 5:35 am
I am very priviledged to have met him at a show here in Las Vegas! What a nice man….It was sooooo cool to meet somebody who was in the classic film “THE WIZARD OF OZ”.