1/2 – Ray Bolger &Jack Haley, The Wizard of Oz, 1938.
3. – Fess Parker, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, 1954. Buddy’s song ’n’ dance career was killed by LB Mayer when Ebsen refused an MGM contract in 1938. Walt Disney was keen on bringing him back as the frontiersman – until seeing Parker in Them! 1954. “That’s my Davy Crockett!” Ebsen was crushed until Disney made him Crockett’s grizzled sidekick. The comeback worked and led to Buddy’s triumph as Jed Clampett, grizzled head of The Beverly Hillbillies, TV, 1962-71.
4. – Walter Brennan, Rio Bravo, 1958.
Birth year: 1908Death year: 2003Other name: Casting Calls: 4