Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory star, 67, ‘STILL receives paycheques’ for his one and only movie role as Charlie Bucket – a whopping 53-years after the iconic film’s release

It is said that Peter Ostrum, who played Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), continues to receive earnings related to his role due to royalty payments.

Previously, the man, now 67 years old, was only 14 when he portrayed the kind-hearted lad who found the fortunate golden ticket in a chocolate bar. Later, he chose to abandon acting and pursue a career as a veterinarian instead.

As per Unilad, Peter has been earning an estimated $10 to $11 approximately every three months, which is around 53 years post the movie’s release, where comedy legend Gene Wilder played the renowned chocolate factory owner.

After the movie ended, young Peter declined a profitable three-picture agreement based on his success in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, instead choosing to focus on his education before specializing in veterinary care for livestock such as cows and horses.

In a 2014 interview with the Daily Express, this Ohio native and father of two reflected on his short acting career: It was during the filming process that my curiosity about medicine truly blossomed, despite the meager salary at the time.

‘So I bought my first horse with my earnings and that started my current career path as a vet’.

Growing up, I was frequently told that people had watched Willy Wonka’s film so often that their VHS tape became worn out. It turns out, we didn’t realize it at the time, but we were creating a timeless masterpiece with phrases like “I’ve found the golden ticket” still being used today.

Reflecting on his ordinary life continuation even after starring in the now legendary movie, he shared with Daily Mirror: “When the film initially released, there were no grand red carpet premieres. I was in my hometown Ohio, and they held an opening event where I was the sole attendee.

As an ardent admirer, I must confess that there was a subtle buzz surrounding its release, yet the excitement didn’t quite explode as anticipated. The movie seemed to fade into obscurity quietly, almost unnoticed. Critics were less than enthusiastic in their appraisals, giving it only tepid praise. Over time, it appears to have slipped from the collective consciousness of film enthusiasts like me.

The video didn’t reappear until ten years had passed, only then did it regain prominence and gain momentum on its own.

As of September 2023 Peter was retired from his Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Lowville.

I, a diehard fan, had the absolute pleasure of being part of the captivating experience that was Julie Dawn Cole and Paris Themmen co-narrating “Willy’s Candy Spectacular: A Musical Parody” at the Edinburgh Fringe. It was like stepping into a dream world!

In a 1971 movie adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel, the pair portrayed Veruca Salt and Mike Teavee. This timeless film narrates the escapade of five schoolchildren who discover golden tickets concealed within chocolate bars and are granted a tour of Willy Wonka’s enchanting candy factory.

Some child stars found themselves catapulted into thriving entertainment careers, whereas others opted for a more low-key existence, choosing professions like accounting or veterinary work instead.

Here TopMob takes a look at where the stars of the hit film are now.

Julie Dawn Cole

The 66-year-old played spoilt brat Veruca Salt – the girl that always wanted more.

In the movie, she accidentally falls into a trash shoot after standing on an egg-testing device that identified her as a “bad egg.

From the town of Guildford, a mother of two has made appearances on various TV series such as Fat Families, the popular daytime soaps Emmerdale and EastEnders, as well as medical drama Holby City.

Currently, she is a certified psychotherapist, yet she frequently re-explores her youthful character as she was the star of the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe production, “Willy Wonka Revisited: The Veruca Salt Sessions.

Additionally, Cole held a position as the Children’s Services Manager at Woking Hospice. In 2014, she decided to sell some mementos she received from the Wonka film set in order to generate funds for this charitable organization through an auction.

The package contained a ‘golden pass’ and the agreement the kids had to endorse prior to entering the factory, as depicted in the movie.

Paris Themmen 

Though Paris Themmen didn’t achieve his ambition of becoming a television personality completely, he continues to be part of the entertainment world.

Born in Boston, Themmen decided to step away from acting during his teenage years, preferring instead to enjoy the carefree life of being just a kid. This pause came before he portrayed the television-obsessed Mike Teavee on screen.

In his adult years, he has occasionally acted on TV shows and also dabbled in various professions like movie production and modeling for advertisements.

At age 64, Themmen engages in various activities such as signing autographs at film events, operating a photography enterprise, and occasionally appearing in advertisements, dramas, and television programs.

Additionally, he established Access International, a travel agency specializing in organizing charter flights to Europe for budget travelers who prefer backpacking.

While on set in Munich, where most of the filming took place alongside Gene Wilder and his fellow actors, he shared with Collider that it was a delightful surprise as they were situated near Germany, Switzerland, and Holland – famous for their exquisite chocolates.

However, despite the abundance of food options like dummy leaves and marzipan treats, they still sent Hershey Bars, Almond Joys, and Mounds to us from America. This act seemed almost unjust to both chocolate and humanity as a whole.

‘The item I enjoyed wasn’t typical chewing gum; it was taffy instead. Some might call it a three-course meal in the form of gum, but it was truly taffy. Regardless, it was delicious.’

Themmen currently resides in Los Angeles with wife of nine-years Nikki Grillos. 

Gene Wilder 

Before taking on the role of Willy Wonka, Wilder was already widely recognized in many households, which reportedly disappointed author Roald Dahl.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but imagine the what-ifs of a different casting choice for that iconic role. You see, it was the author’s dream to have the legendary Irish comedian, Spike Milligan, step into the limelight. However, before our dreams could become reality, producers had other ideas and approached an American star instead. Amazingly, this star agreed – but only under one condition.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d share this intriguing tale in my own words: ‘In myth and lore, it’s said that upon my grand debut, I would appear at the door with a cane in hand, favoring a subtle limp. Upon seeing my apparent disability as Willy Wonka, a hush fell over the crowd, their hushed whispers echoing around me. This moment encapsulates the enigmatic charm of our beloved character.’

As I stroll towards them, my cane unexpectedly lodges into one of the cobblestones beneath me, standing erect on its own; however, I continue walking, unaware of this change. It isn’t until I feel the absence of my cane that I realize what has happened. With a forward tumble imminent, I perform an elegant somersault mid-air and miraculously bounce back up, much to the delight of those watching.

When asked why, he added: ‘From that time on, no one will know if I’m lying or telling the truth.’

Wilder died in 2016 aged 83 following a three-year battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. 

Denise Nickerson 

In a later disclosure, Denise Nickerson shared that her character Violet Beauregarde from the gum obsession almost led to her losing her own teeth.

Nickerson admitted to developing 13 cavities in her teeth while preparing for the role. 

Previously famous child actor attributed the harm to chewing Bazooka gum, which was rich in sugar and helped her embody her role.

Additionally, Nickerson frequently appeared on television programs like Search for Tomorrow, The Brady Bunch, Dark Shadows, and The Electric Company.

Her last role was Zero To Sixty in 1978. 

After two marriages, she ultimately left her acting career behind. Instead, she took on roles as an accountant for an engineering factory and served as the office manager in a medical practice.

2018 saw her being admitted to the hospital due to a stroke, following which she chose to be under the care of her family members.

On July 8, 2019, the ex-actress was admitted to the hospital once more due to a prescription drug overdose. Tragically, she passed away on July 10, at the age of 62, following complications from pneumonia and entering a coma.

Later, Nickerson’s family posted on Facebook that she had passed away, followed by the statement that she had unfortunately succumbed to her illness around 10:30 PM, Colorado local time, in her hospital bed.

Michael Bollner

Bollner played chocolate chomping Augustus Gloop and still lives in Germany.

He traded acting for tax; the chubby-cheeked child star is now an accountant in Munich.

Previously known for acting roles, this individual, currently aged 65, appeared in several German-language films following the character of Willy Wonka. However, he decided to stop acting shortly afterwards due to his father’s insistence that he complete his education.

Speaking about his shift to Collider, Bollner expressed: “In Munich, I manage a small tax office, and during the festive season, I celebrate Christmas with my team.

Approximately every two to three years, I screen the Willy Wonka film. This movie isn’t widely recognized in Germany, but it’s essential that my new hires understand how much of a star their manager is.

Previously, during a chat on This Morning, the ex-actor confessed that he hadn’t anticipated the movie would gain such widespread popularity.

Reflecting back, I recently ventured into the world of filmmaking for a short spell, immersed in this new environment for several weeks. To be completely honest, I found myself somewhat bewildered by the intricacies surrounding the production. Initially, my perspective was that it was just a temporary endeavor destined to swiftly vanish from sight.

In a well-known movie moment, Bollner’s character is seen getting pulled into a river of chocolate, a scene that has become iconic. However, he later revealed that it was not as pleasurable as it appears in the film.

He informed the Hollywood Reporter that it wasn’t any form of chocolate, merely putrid water left untouched for extended periods. To add, this water was murky and he had to wade through it, as its depth was only about 15 cm.

There was an opening approximately 3 meters wide, and I needed to aim for it, but due to the extremely dark water, it wasn’t straightforward; I was constantly worried I might strike my head against the riverbed instead.

Jack Alberston 

Albertson, who played Grandpa Joe, died in November 1981 at the age of 74 from colorectal cancer.

Prior to his premature passing, he had a thriving acting career with notable roles, such as those on Broadway and later winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1968 for his depiction of John Cleary in “The Subject of Roses.” Before appearing as Wonka, this was his achievement.

The experienced performer not only clinched a Tony Award for his role in the 1964 stage play “Roses”, but also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1977.

Roy Kinnear 

Prior to his role as Henry Salt in “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory”, the cherished English character actor, Roy Kinnear, had previously collaborated with The Beatles on their 1965 movie, “Help!”.

Over the course of four decades, he built an impressive career in both films and television, starring in productions such as “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” “The Four Musketeers,” “Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo,” and “Hawk The Slayer.

Over the course of his 18-year union with actress Carmel Cryan, the actor became a father to three children. Interestingly, two of these kids pursued careers in the same field as their dad, venturing into the world of entertainment.

In time, Rory Kinnear achieved great success as an actor, while Kirsty pursued a career off-screen, working as a casting director.

In May 2020, the eldest child of the couple, who happened to be their daughter, had been wheelchair-bound due to being a paraplegic and faced challenges with education prior to her passing.

54-year-old Kinnear met an unfortunate end on September 19, 1988, when he fell from a horse during the shooting of The Return Of The Musketeers in Spain.

Rusty Goffe 

As an utterly devoted Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka remake enthusiast, I had the absolute honor and privilege to step into the iconic shoes of the Head Oompa-Loompa! Not everyone can boast about this unique credit on the movie’s end rolls.

Originating from Kent, this actor, currently 75 years old, had a thriving acting career following his role as Willy Wonka, with his most recent screen appearance being in 2016.

In 1980, he made an appearance in Flash Gordon, as well as five out of the seven Harry Potter movies, which were released between 2001 and 2011, starting with Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope in 1977.

Rusty, who turned 22 during the production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, expressed his great sense of pride about being involved in the movie. He further commented, “At the time, we didn’t fully grasp just how popular it would become.

The item was specifically designed with adults in mind, not for kids. In fact, both adults and children found themselves drawn to it.

As a lifestyle expert, I had the privilege of knowing and admiring the late, great Wilder. Upon his passing in 2016, I fondly remembered him as an extraordinary individual. He was soft-spoken yet incredibly assertive, always knowing exactly what he desired. His gentleness was striking, making a powerful impact without uttering a single loud word.

He was an incredibly humorous individual, and this was evident in the film. There was something enchanting about him that truly stood out,” he commented.

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2025-01-08 17:20