Is Pat Walshe Dead or Still Alive? Pat Walshe Birthday and Date of Death

Pat Walshe Death

Pat passed away on December 11, 1991 at the age of 91 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Pat's cause of death was heart attack.

Pat Walshe Birthday and Date of Death

Pat Walshe was born on July 26, 1900 and died on December 11, 1991. Pat was 91 years old at the time of death.

Birthday: July 26, 1900
Date of Death: December 11, 1991
Age at Death: 91

Pat Walshe - Biography

Pat Walshe (July 26, 1900 – December 11, 1991) was an American dwarf actor and animal impersonator. He was most famous for playing Nikko, the head of the Winged Monkeys in The Wizard of Oz. He appeared in only four films, and most of his work was in theatre. He was often noted for his short stature and stood approximately 3 feet 8 inches (1.12 m).
On October 4, 1938, Walshe was cast in the most prominent role of his career. He was to make his feature film debut in The Wizard of Oz. Due to Walshe's recognition for novelty performances dressed as animals and his expressive movement, Walshe was awarded the role of Nikko, the head king of the Winged Monkeys. Unlike the other monkeys, Nikko was a credited role, serving as the Wicked Witch's (played by Margaret Hamilton) second in command and minion. Though Walshe had no spoken lines, performing his character through physical performance, he did receive an on-screen credit (which was rare for bit players at the time). Instead of the simple stage makeup that Walshe used in his shows, he had to wear complex prosthetics designed by Jack Dawn. While the other monkeys wore simple rubber masks, Walshe's needed to appear in close-ups, so instead a multi-piece prosthetic makeup was produced. The prosthetics were moulded to Walshe's features and then glued to his face, with some appliances protruding out.

Walshe also wore a full fur body suit, with a short open tunic as well as a tail and wings. Walshe is listed in the end credits as playing Nikko, and despite being featured frequently in the movie, the name Nikko is never mentioned in the film. In the book, the character is simply called "the Monkey King", so many viewers were unsure as to who the character was. Some confused Nikko with the Captain of the Winkie Guards (played by Mitchell Lewis), though it is evident that he was in fact the monkey, since Walshe was 3'10" (like the monkey) and was well known for his animal impersonations.
From 1945 to 1946 he performed with both the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Al Dean's Circus. Some of Walshe's other performances include at the Court Square Theater, and the Cole Bros. Circus. In addition to the extensive circus and theater work, he did also make a few other film appearances throughout his career with minor roles in Pinky, Roseanna McCoy, and 1941, in addition to serving as a stunt double.
He also made played a featured role in Panic in the Streets, in one of his only on screen speaking roles. Walshe played a newspaper peddler, named Pat after himself. Through his long career in theater and his film appearances, Walshe rose to significance as both veteran of vaudeville and circus, famous for his monkey performances. In his old age Walshe ceased to perform due to the physical demands of his work, but was still well remembered for his appearance in the classic The Wizard of Oz.