Harry Earles, known professionally as Kurt, immigrated to the United States from Germany around 1915 alongside his sister, Grace, who would later be known as Freida. Upon their arrival, they began working for a man named Earles, adopting his surname as their own. In the early 1920s, their sister Daisy, also known as Hilda, joined them, followed by their sister Tiny, or Elly, in the mid to late 1920s. The siblings found their niche in both the film industry and the prestigious Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.
By approximately 1930, the Earles siblings shifted their focus primarily to circus performances, leaving behind their brief film careers, which included notable appearances as Munchkins in the iconic 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz. Additionally, Daisy made a fleeting appearance in the Oscar-winning movie The Greatest Show on Earth in 1952. The siblings enjoyed a successful run in the circus until their retirement in the mid-1950s.
Following their retirement, Harry Earles passed away in 1985, while Grace and Daisy passed away in 1970 and 1980, respectively. The legacy of the Earles family, particularly their contributions to the world of entertainment, is captured in Steven Cox's book, "The Munchkins of Oz," which offers further insights into their remarkable story.
