Billy Curtis

Billy Curtis (June 27, 1909 - November 9, 1988) was a prominent American actor known for his work in film and television. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, he had a notable career spanning five decades and was recognized for his stature as a dwarf, measuring 4 feet 2 inches (1.27 m) tall. He passed away from a heart attack on November 9, 1988, in Dayton, Nevada. Curtis was originally named Luigi Curto, according to IMDb.

His extensive repertoire primarily included roles in westerns and science fiction. One of his early notable appearances was as one of the Munchkins in the iconic film The Wizard of Oz. During the 1950s, he also featured in the popular series Adventures of Superman. Curtis is perhaps best known for his roles in westerns, notably as Mordecai in Clint Eastwood's High Plains Drifter, where he played a congenial dwarf who empathizes with Eastwood's character. He also starred in the 1938 musical western The Terror of Tiny Town, a unique film recognized as the only western featuring an all-dwarf cast. Many performers in Tiny Town were members of a troupe called Singer's Midgets, who also appeared as Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz (1939). Additionally, in 1973, Curtis had a leading role in American International Pictures' Little Cigars, a film centered around a gang of "midgets" engaged in a crime spree.