Read This: For little people, Hollywood can be especially degrading

Show business is known for being a demeaning, dispiriting, and humiliating industry, even under the best of circumstances. But for those affected by various forms of dwarfism, resulting in the stunted growth of their limbs, the situation can be especially grim. While movies and TV have gradually become more sensitive in their depiction of various genders, races, religions, and sexual preferences, the entertainment industry still treats little people, or LPs, in an embarrassing, stereotyped way in 2016. It’s been 77 years since The Wizard Of Oz, but the public image of LPs has scarcely improved since then. The days of P.T. Barnum and carnival sideshows may be over, but little people are still performing in sleazy, exploitative cabaret shows and portraying elves and goblins in movies. Seth Abramovitch writes about numerous issues related to the LP community in a wide-ranging piece for The Hollywood Reporter entitled “Little People, Big Woes In Hollywood: Low Pay, Degrading Jobs And A Tragic Death.” As that title indicates, the focal point of the article is the tragic early death of a performer named Kimberly Tripp, who impersonated Kim Kardashian professionally. Among those who contributed their thoughts to the article are Verne Troyer, Deep Roy, Warwick Davis, and Bad Santa star Tony Cox. Game Of Thrones star Peter Dinklage is not among the interviewees, but the article includes some surprisingly dark past quotes from the actor.