Margaret Hamilton

If you know more information about Margaret Hamilton help us to improve this page

Birthday:

9 December 1902, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

Birth Name:

Margaret Brainard Hamilton

Height:

152 cm

Margaret Hamilton was Born December 9, 1902 in Cleveland, Ohio to Jennie and Walter Hamilton. She later attended Hathaway Brown School in Shaker Heights, Ohio, and practiced acting doing children's theater while a Junior League of Cleveland member. Margaret had already built her resume with several performances in film before she came to her most memorable and astronomically successful role, Almira Gulch/ The Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz (1939). The character is considered to be one of the screen's greatest and most memorable villains of all time. Show less «

I was in a need of money at the time, I had done about six pictures for MGM at the time and my agent called. I said, 'Yes?' and he said 'Mag...Show more »

I was in a need of money at the time, I had done about six pictures for MGM at the time and my agent called. I said, 'Yes?' and he said 'Maggie, they want you to play a part on the Wizard.' I said to myself, 'Oh Boy, The Wizard of Oz! That has been my favorite book since I was four.' And I asked him what part, and he said 'The Witch' and I said 'The Witch?!' and he said 'What else?' Show less «

Almost always they want me to laugh like the Witch. And sometimes when I go to schools, if we're in an auditorium, I'll do it. And there's a...Show more »

Almost always they want me to laugh like the Witch. And sometimes when I go to schools, if we're in an auditorium, I'll do it. And there's always a funny reaction, like Ye gods, they wish they hadn't asked. They're scared. They're really scared for a second. Even adolescents. I guess for a minute they get the feeling they got when they watched the picture. They like to hear it but they don't like to hear it. And then they go, "Oh..." The picture made a terrible impression of some kind on them, sometimes a ghastly impression, but most of them got over it, I guess... Because when I talk like the Witch and when I laugh, there is a hesitation, and then they clap. They're clapping at hearing the sound again. Show less «

[on Judy Garland] Judy kept us all going. When she came on the set, it was as though the lights got brighter. Her freshness and vitality are...Show more »

[on Judy Garland] Judy kept us all going. When she came on the set, it was as though the lights got brighter. Her freshness and vitality are things I will never forget. Show less «

My only mistake was wanting to do everything; it was so exciting to be in Washington in those days. I don't regret a minute of it, not even ...Show more »

My only mistake was wanting to do everything; it was so exciting to be in Washington in those days. I don't regret a minute of it, not even when Dorothy kept the Ruby Slippers. If I had it to do over, I'd do the same. Show less «

[on her role as the Wicked Witch] I don't look on it as any great shakes of acting, it's not subtle or restrained. It isn't any of the thing...Show more »

[on her role as the Wicked Witch] I don't look on it as any great shakes of acting, it's not subtle or restrained. It isn't any of the things you like to think might apply to your acting. Show less «

The Wizard of Oz (1939) keeps coming back every year... because it's such a beautiful film. I don't think any of us knew how lovely it was a...Show more »

The Wizard of Oz (1939) keeps coming back every year... because it's such a beautiful film. I don't think any of us knew how lovely it was at first. But, after a while, we all began to feel it coming together - and knew we had something. I can watch it again and again and remember wonderful Judy, Bert, Ray, Jack, Billie, Frank and how wonderful they all were. The scene that always gets to me, though, and I think it's one of the most appealing scenes I've ever seen, is the one where the Wizard gives the gifts to them at the end. Frank (Morgan) was just like that as a person. And every time I see him do it, the tears come to my eyes. I listen to the words. I think of Frank, and I know how much he meant what he said, and how much the words themselves mean. Show less «

[on being burnt on the set of The Wizard of Oz (1939)] When I looked down at my right hand, I thought I was going to faint... the fire had s...Show more »

[on being burnt on the set of The Wizard of Oz (1939)] When I looked down at my right hand, I thought I was going to faint... the fire had singed my eyebrows off and burned my cheeks and chin. Show less «