Jack Haley

Actor, the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz[30]

What is Jack Haley known for?

John Joseph Haley Jr., better known as Jack Haley, was an American actor, comedian, dancer, radio host, singer, and vaudevillian. He was born on August 10, 1897, in Boston, Massachusetts. Haley is perhaps best known for his role as the Tin Man in the 1939 MGM film The Wizard of Oz. This multi-talented performer had an active career from 1923 to 1977.

In his early career, Haley headlined in vaudeville as a song-and-dance comedian. He continued to make a name for himself starring in comedy shorts for Vitaphone in Brooklyn, New York, in the early 1930s. His genuine, warm-hearted expressions allowed him to scoop up supporting roles in various musical feature films, such as Poor Little Rich Girl with Shirley Temple, Higher and Higher with Frank Sinatra, and the Irving Berlin musical Alexander's Ragtime Band.

From 1937 to 1939, he hosted a radio show known as The Jack Haley Show. In the first season, the show was sponsored by Log Cabin Syrup and was known as The Log Cabin Jamboree. The following season saw sponsorship from Wonder Bread, and the show was then known as The Wonder Show. This season introduced Gale Gordon and Lucille Ball as regular radio performers.

Perhaps Haley's most memorable role was the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz, where he replaced comedian Buddy Ebsen due to the latter's severe allergic reaction to the silver face makeup. Haley's makeup was altered into a paste form to prevent a similar incident, although he did suffer an eye infection as a result.

After leaving the acting scene, Haley segued his career into real estate and took on guest roles in various television series over the next couple of decades. Haley died in Los Angeles, California, on June 6, 1979.

Not only a dedicated actor and performer, Jack Haley left an indelible mark on American entertainment, particularly through his portrayal of the Tin Man, a character who remains a beloved figure in popular culture today.

For more on Jack Haley's life and career, visit his IMDb page and his Find A Grave Memorial page.