Margaret Hamilton’s unforgettable portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz lasted only 12 minutes on screen, yet her presence dominated the entire 103-minute film. Her performance earned her the #4 spot on the American Film Institute’s list of greatest villains, right behind Darth Vader, Norman Bates, and Hannibal Lecter.
Her son, Hamilton Meserve, often reflects on her legacy. “Mother worked just eight weeks on the film, earning about $8,000, with no residuals — not even from the countless TV reruns. Still, her image became truly iconic.”
What many don’t know is that Hamilton was once a kindergarten teacher, deeply devoted to children and animals. She worried her witch might scare kids, so years later she appeared on Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood to remind young viewers that it was all just make-believe.
Outside of Hollywood, she was simply “Mom.” Meserve recalls how protective she was, determined to shield him from the harsh world of child stardom—especially after seeing the struggles of her close friend Judy Garland. She wanted her son to have what Judy never did: a normal childhood.
Beneath the green makeup and cackling voice was a gentle woman who left a lasting impact not only on cinema but on everyone she knew.
