The Wicked Witch Was A Kindergarten Teacher
Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West, 1939.
Despite terrifying multiple generations playing the Wicked Witch, Hamilton in real life was a kindergarten teacher who was devoted to the education of children.
She was so concerned about the impact her role had on kids that later in life, she even made a guest appearance on Mister Rogers to show kids that she was actually a nice and kind woman. She came wearing regular clothes and on the show, she dressed in the Wicked Witch costume to show the audience that was playing a fictitious character and that it was all make-believe. She became good friends with Fred Rogers and Mr. McFeely, the delivery man.
Here’s Hamilton’s own words on being casted as The Wicked Witch:
“He [casting director] said they’re sort of interested in you for a part in The Wizard of Oz and I said, ‘Oh gosh, think of that.’ I said, ‘I’ve loved that story from the time I was 4-years old. What is it?’ And he said, ‘Well the Witch.’ And I said, ‘The Witch!?’ And then he said the final thing, ‘Yes, what else?’”
