George F. Brasno (December 23, 1911 – August 15, 1982) was an American actor who appeared in a few films through the 1930s and 1940s. He and his sister
Olive Brasno
Olive Brasno (October 17, 1917 – January 25, 1998) was a dwarf dancer and actress who was known for her song and dance act with her brother, George. She also appeared in a few films through the 1930s and 1940s.
Born in the community of Old ...
were first recognized as a brother and sister little-people singing team in a partnership with Buster Shaver's vaudeville act. He was also billed as George Shaver.
Career
Brasno was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Brasno, born in the community of
Old Bridge, New Jersey
Old Bridge Township is a township in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States, located in the Raritan Valley region and within the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2020 United States Census, the township’s population was 66,876, re ...
, and later resided in South River. Brasno and his sister
Olive Brasno
Olive Brasno (October 17, 1917 – January 25, 1998) was a dwarf dancer and actress who was known for her song and dance act with her brother, George. She also appeared in a few films through the 1930s and 1940s.
Born in the community of Old ...
started out as a brother and sister dwarf act performing with the Johnny Jones Exposition. Buster Shaver saw them, and they joined his vaudeville act. In 1937, George and Olive Brasno were offered roles in the film '' The Wizard of Oz'' (1939) but they declined because they were making more money on the road with their singing act.Kemp, Heather Wendt for ''
Weird NJ
''Weird NJ'' (sometimes abbreviated ''WNJ'') is a semi-annual magazine that chronicles local legends, purported hauntings, ghost stories, folklore, unusual places or events, and other peculiarities in New Jersey. The magazine originated in 1989 as ...
'' "Weird NJ: The Brasnos – Old Bridge’s movie heroes" '' Asbury Park Press'', April 23, 2017. Accessed December 26, 2017. Persons short in stature historically have found work in the entertainment industry. The members of the Brasno family of Old Bridge were able to benefit from this trend. They were a family of six, four of whom were little people. As 'proportional' dwarfs, or 'midgets' as they were commonly known in the 1930s, siblings Olive and George Brasno were offered Munchkin roles in ''The Wizard of Oz.''... Not foreseeing that the movie would become a classic, Olive and George declined MGM’s offer, choosing instead to continue with their own more lucrative vaudeville act, 'Buster Shaver, Olive and George.'"
For several years, the pair was joined by brother Richard to form an entertainment trio.
Despite turning down the opportunity, they starred in a few movies and shorts between public appearances such as: '' The Great John L.'' (1945), ''
Little Miss Broadway
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'' (1938), ''
Arbor Day
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'' (1936), ''
Charlie Chan at the Circus
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The film's sets were designed by the art director Du ...
The Mighty Barnum
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'' (1934), '' Shrimps for a Day'' (1934), and '' Sitting Pretty'' (1933).
Billed as George Shaver, Brasno appeared on Broadway as part of the family trio in ''
Are You With It?
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