Whatever Happened to the Cowardly Lion Costume From ‘The Wizard of Oz’?

THE WIZARD OF OZ, Bert Lahr, 1939 — Everett Collection

Bert Lahr‘s Cowardly Lion is hard to picture without his curly mane and oversized paws that made up the impressive costume. But have you ever wondered what happened to the costume after The Wizard of Oz was finished? A surviving suit from the 1939 film is among the attractions at the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, giving fans a chance to see it up close when the museum opens this month.

This is just one of the Cowardly Lion suits that survived the production of the iconic film. Another underwent extensive restoration before it sold at auction for over $3 million. Before we find out where some of the costumes are, let’s go over how it was made.

What was the Cowardly Lion costume made of?

MGM costume designer Adrian created the suit from the skin and fur of a real lion, with a zipper hidden down the front and a tail attached at the back. The hide’s distinctive markings helped identify where the costume appeared on screen.

THE WIZARD OF OZ, Bert Lahr as the cowardly lion, 1939

Everett Collection

While the costume looked very real for the film, Lahr’s daughter Jane remembered how uncomfortable he was in it. She told Fox News Digital, “My dad was really tortured by the costume. It weighed almost 100 pounds. It was real lion fur, and it was hot. He couldn’t eat. He had to drink his lunch through a straw. The studios had wonderful dining rooms. He and Jack Haley, who played the Tin Man, had to lie down on boards because their costumes were so heavy, and they couldn’t eat in the dining room. Dad could only drink something through a straw.”

How Was the Costume Restored?

Famous collector James Comisar acquired one in 1991 after a salvage dealer found it in an abandoned MGM building. He preserved the suit with help from conservators at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

To create a face for the display figure, conservators used a cast of Lahr’s son to make the head, which they fitted with glass eyes. A wig and mane made from Italian human hair completed the recreation. Comisar’s costume with these extra details sold at Bonhams in New York on Nov. 24, 2014, for $3,077,000, including the buyer’s premium.

Where can you see the Cowardly Lion costume?

A costume for the Cowardly Lion from "The Wizard of Oz" is displayed at the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art during a media preview of the 300,000 square foot structure in Exposition Park on September 2, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Founded by filmmaker George Lucas and wife Mellody Hobson and designed by the architect Ma Yansong, it is billed as the “first museum dedicated to the universal human tradition of visual storytelling.” The long-awaited institution is integrated into a 11-acre campus and opens to the public September 22.

Mario Tama/Getty Images

Fans can soon see a Lahr-worn Lion costume at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles beginning September 22, 2026. Founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum is in Exposition Park. The costume has appeared in previews of the collection ahead of the public opening.

Another piece of the Lion’s look is preserved separately. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures lists an original mane worn by Lahr in its collection. Makeup artist Charles H. Schram, who created the wig, donated it in 1984.

The Wizard of Oz will air on MeTV

You’ll also be able to watch Lahr’s performance again on MeTV in October 2026 as part of the network’s Halloween BOO-Nanza. Lisa Whelchel will host MeTV’s premiere, with short features titled “The Wonderful World of Oz” that share stories and memorabilia connected to the film. Check MeTV’s listings for specific dates and times.