Actors Who Never Recovered From Their Most Distressing Roles

Margaret Hamilton in The Wizard of Oz

That's right—your favorite childhood classic was actually the site of some horrific happenings for the cast and crew of The Wizard of Oz. At the start of filming, Buddy Ebsen, the original Tin Man, had to spend two weeks recovering in an oxygen tent after aluminum dust from his makeup coated his lungs. Bert Lahr, the Cowardly Lion, was also forced to wear a 90-pound costume made of actual lion skin in 100-degree weather.

Margaret Hamilton, who played the Wicked Witch of the West, had the worst experience on set. Her costume caught fire in the midst of a stunt gone awry, scalding the actress with second- and third-degree burns. Her copper-based green makeup only inflamed her injuries. Hamilton's stunt double also suffered burns and scarring on her legs when something exploded on set. Talk about cursed.