Billy Curtis, a diminutive American actor, defied the conventional path of working in freak shows during his youth, instead opting for a mainstream job as a shoe clerk. This decision, however, was short-lived, as he was encouraged by renowned actress Shirley Booth to take on a role in a stage production featuring little people. Curtis' professional acting career flourished, with numerous Broadway musical productions to his credit.
The 1938-1939 season marked a significant turning point in Curtis' career, as he landed notable roles in two major films. He played the character of a cowboy hero in the all-dwarf western "The Terror of Tiny Town" (1938),a role that deviated from the typical portrayal of little people as villains. Additionally, Curtis was cast as a character in "The Wizard of Oz" (1939),although his voice was dubbed by Pinto Colvig.
Throughout his career, Curtis was selective in his roles, often choosing parts that did not demean or patronize little people. He played a range of characters, including an obnoxious vaudeville performer in "Meet John Doe" (1941),a suspicious circus star in "Saboteur" (1942),and one of the many fair-weather friends in "The Incredible Shrinking Man" (1957).
Billy Curtis continued to thrive in the entertainment industry well into the 1970s, landing notable roles in films such as the Clint Eastwood western "High Plains Drifter" (1973) and the crime-caper melodrama "Little Cigars" (1973),in which he had second billing as a diminutive criminal mastermind.
After retiring in the 1980s, Curtis occasionally participated in interviews and Wizard of Oz cast reunions, cementing his legacy as a talented and pioneering little person actor.
