Betty Ann Bruno
Born
Betty Ann Cain

(1931-10-01)October 1, 1931
Wahiawa, Hawaii, U.S.
DiedJuly 30, 2023(2023-07-30) (aged 91)
Sonoma, California, U.S.
EducationStanford University
Occupation(s)Child actress, television producer and host, reporter
SpouseCraig Scheiner
Children3
Awards3 Emmy Awards

Betty Ann Bruno (née Cain; October 1, 1931 – July 30, 2023) was an American child actress and journalist. She started her journalist career as a political talk show television producer and host and was an investigative reporter who worked for KTVU-Channel 2 in San Francisco for over 20 years, retiring in 1992.[1]

Early life and education

Betty Ann Cain was born on October 1, 1931,[2][3] in Wahiawa, Hawaii,[4] but grew up in Hollywood, California. She was the daughter of a Hawaiian–Chinese mother and a Dutch–Irish father.[5]

She was a Stanford University graduate.[2]

Career

As a child, she appeared in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz as one of the Munchkins.[6] Before that she had a bit role in John Ford's 1937 film The Hurricane. Her work in television won her three Emmy Awards.[7][2] After retiring from television in 1992, she became a hula dance instructor.[5] In 2020, she published her autobiography, The Munchkin Diary: My Personal Yellow Brick Road.[8] She appeared on television once again in an episode of To Tell the Truth which was broadcast in May 2022.[2]

Personal life and death

Bruno lived in California, was married to Craig Scheiner, a former KTVU photographer, and had three sons. She was reported in media as one of the few surviving cast members from The Wizard of Oz.[9]

Bruno died from a heart attack on July 30, 2023, in Sonoma, California, at the age of 91.[1][10]

Filmography

Title Year Role Director
The Hurricane 1937 John Ford
The Wizard of Oz 1939 Munchkin Victor Fleming
To Tell the Truth 2022 Herself

References

  1. 1 2 Okorie, O. Gloria (30 July 2023). "Former KTVU reporter Betty Ann Bruno dead at 91". KTVU.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Pedersen, Erik (July 31, 2023). "Betty Ann Bruno Dies: 'Wizard Of Oz' Munchkin Who Became Longtime Local TV Reporter Was 91". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Betty Ann Bruno named Sonoma's 2020 'Treasure Artist'". Sonoma Index-Tribune. 27 November 2019.
  4. ↑ Bruno, Betty Ann (December 15, 2020). The Munchkin Diary: My Personal Yellow Brick Road. Craig Scheiner. ISBN 9781736205600. Retrieved July 31, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Quan, Rick (October 29, 2021). "Former Munchkin Turns Aloha Ambassador". KITV – via bettyannbruno.com.
  6. ↑ Scarfone, Jay; Stillman, William (2004). The Wizardry of Oz. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 239. ISBN 9781617748431.
  7. ↑ "'The Munchkin Diary': Sonoma author recalls her 'Oz' days, TV career". The Mercury News. April 14, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Former Veteran KTVU Channel 2 Reporter Betty Ann Bruno Now a Best-Selling Author". norcalmediamuseum.org. Media Museum of Northern California. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  9. ↑ "One of last living Munchkins reflects from her home in Sonoma". Sonoma News. October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Wizard of Oz star Betty Ann Bruno dies after suffering a 'sudden' heart attack". The Mirror. 1 August 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
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