The Curse Behind The Wizard of Oz: Unfortunate Tales from the Set

Toto, played by the terrier Terry, earned about $125 a week—more than many of the adult background actors on set. Her pay reflected the amount of training and consistency required for her role, as she appeared in a large number of scenes and needed to hit very specific marks during filming.

Many of the human actors who worked as extras or Munchkin performers earned significantly less. While Toto’s salary wasn’t unusual for a trained animal actor, it highlighted the pay disparities of the time. Despite the tough conditions, Terry’s performance became one of the film’s most beloved elements.