Buddy Ebsen began as a dancer in the late 1920s in a Broadway chorus. He later formed a vaudeville act with his sister Vilma Ebsen, which also appeared on Broadway. In 1935 he and his sister came to Hollywood, where they were signed for the first of MGM's Eleanor Powell movies, Broadway Melody of 1936. Vilma retired from stage and screen shortly after this, while Buddy starred in two further MGM movies with Powell. His dancing partners were 'Frances Langford' in Born to Dance and Judy Garland in Broadway Melody of 1938 -- they were a little bit taller than Shirley Temple, with whom he danced in Captain January. MGM head Louis B. Mayer offered him an exclusive contract in 1938, but Ebsen turned it down. In spite of Mayer's warning that he would never get a job in Hollywood again, he was offered the role of the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz. Ebsen agreed to change roles with Ray Bolger, who was cast as the Tin Man. Ebsen became ill from the silver make-up, however, and was replaced in the role by Jack Haley. Ebsen returned to stage, making only a few pictures before he got a role in the Disney production of Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier. After this, he became a straight actor, and later won more fame in his own hit series, The Beverly Hillbillies and Barnaby Jones.