Notable Personalities
Born, Raised, or Became Famous in Lake, Porter Counties Indiana
and Surrounding Illinois Communities. |
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George Molchan
aka "Little Oscar"
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Born June 5, 1922 in
Lanfair, Pennsylvania. |
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Died April 12, 2005. |
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George Molchan came to Gary in
1928 with his seven siblings, attended Froebel High School
- Class of 1940, and
enrolled at Gary Community College. In 1951, he met Meinhardt
Rabbe, one of the original "Wizard of Oz" munchkins who later became the
original Oscar Mayer "Little Oscar". Raabe heard about Molchan
while on a stop in Gary. Raabe, who wished to retire, offered
the four feet, five inch Molchan the job as the Oscar Mayer mascot and
he accepted.  George traveled the country in the hotdog-shaped
Weinermobile, passing out whistles and meeting the crowds. He
appeared in TV commercials and portrayed "Little Oscar" for 10 years at
Disney World's
Town Square Cafe . He retired in 1987 and moved
back to Hobart in 2001.
Source: Post-Tribune Kass Stone April 14, 2005
A13 |
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| If you know of a notable personality that is not on this list, who was born or raised in Lake , Porter Counties Indiana or Surrounding Illinois Communities please feel free to e-mail your suggestions to: ljackson@lakeco.lib.in.us |
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