Actor
Ray Bolger
Born 10 January 1904 · Boston, Massachusetts, USA — died 15 January 1987
Ray Bolger (1904–1987) was an American dancer, singer and actor who moved from vaudeville to Broadway and Hollywood. He is best remembered as the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, and his loose-limbed dancing made him one of the era's distinctive song-and-dance stars. He later worked in television.
Key films
The Wizard of Oz (1939)On Cinespective
His Scarecrow, with its rubbery dancing, became his signature role and one of cinema's most beloved characters.
The Great Ziegfeld (1936)
His MGM debut, appearing as himself after being signed by the studio.
Sweethearts (1938)
His first major singing and dancing film role, opposite Jeanette MacDonald, which helped lead to Oz.
The Harvey Girls (1946)
A showcase MGM musical in which he appeared alongside Judy Garland.
Where's Charley? (1952)
Screen version of the stage musical that gave him one of his greatest Broadway successes.
Key awards
- 1949 Tony Award, Best Actor in a Musical (Where's Charley?)
On Cinespective
Full filmography · 36
- 1936The Great Ziegfeld · as Ray BolgerActor
- 1937Rosalie · as Bill DelroyActor
- 1938Sweethearts · as HansActor
- 1938Another Romance of Celluloid: Electrical Power · as Self (uncredited)Actor
- 1939The Wizard of Oz · as Scarecrow / HunkActor
- 1941Sunny · as Bunny BillingsActor
- 1942Four Jacks and a Jill · as Nifty Sullivan, a JackActor
- 1943Stage Door Canteen · as Ray BolgerActor
- 1946The Harvey Girls · as Chris MauleActor
- 1949Look for the Silver Lining · as Jack DonahueActor
- 1949Make Mine Laughs · as (archive footage)Actor
- 1952April in Paris · as Sam Winthrop PutnamActor
- 1952Where's Charley? · as Charley WykehamActor
- 1954A Star Is Born World Premiere · as SelfActor
- 1958The All-Star Christmas Show · as SelfActor
- 1961Babes in Toyland · as BarnabyActor
- 1961Backstage Party · as SelfActor
- 1966The Daydreamer · as The PiemanActor
- 1974That's Entertainment! · as (archive footage) (uncredited)Actor
- 1976The Entertainer · as Billy RiceActor
- 1978Three on a Date · as AndrewActor
- 1979Just You and Me, Kid · as TomActor
- 1979The Runner Stumbles · as Monsignor NicholsonActor
- 1979The Making of the Wizard of Oz · as SelfActor
- 1979Heaven Only Knows · as SimonActor
- 1982Annie · as Sound Effects Man at Radio Station (uncredited)Actor
- 1983Peter and the Magic Egg · as Uncle Amos (voice)Actor
- 1985That's Dancing! · as Self - HostActor
- 1985The Whimsical World of Oz · as SelfActor
- 1990The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 1994That's Entertainment! III · as (archive footage) (uncredited)Actor
- 1997Vaudeville · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2000The Dark Side of the Rainbow · as 'Hunk' (archive footage)Actor
- 2004Judy Garland: By Myself · as Self - Actor (archive sound)Actor
- 2009Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1930s: Dancing Away the Great Depression · as Self (archive footage)Actor
- 2009To Oz! The Making of a Classic · as SelfActor
Filmography data from TMDB. The profile text is a draft written for Cinespective.