Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · June 30, 2025 · Entertainment

From Wonka to Vet: The Surprising Life After Charlie Bucket

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory star Peter Ostrum still receives royalty payments from his role as Charlie Bucket more than 50 years after the famous movie premiered

The Sweetest Secrets: What Happened to the Stars of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

Get ready for a delicious dose of nostalgia and scandal as we dish out the juiciest secrets about the stars of the beloved classic, Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory!

Peter Ostrum: From Child Star to Vet Extraordinaire

The former actor, 67, was just 14 when he played the good-natured boy who won the lucky golden ticket in the beloved 1971 flick, before turning his back on acting and becoming a vet

You might remember Peter Ostrum as Charlie Bucket, the lovable good boy who won the golden ticket. But did you know that this former child star has been raking in a whopping $8-$9 every three months for the past 54 years?! That's right, folks! Peter still receives royalty payments from his iconic role, and we're not just talking about peanuts – we're talking about millions!

But what happened to Peter after Wonka? Well, he turned down a potentially lucrative three-film contract to pursue his passion for helping animals. Yep, you read that right – this former child star became a vet! Peter now runs his own veterinary clinic in Ohio and has been living the quiet life.

Julie Dawn Cole: The OG Spoiled Brat

But according to LADbible , Peter still receives a check for about $8 to $9 every three months thanks to the film's royalties, a whopping 54 years after its release. He's seen in the film

Who could forget Veruca Salt, the bratty little girl who demanded more, more, MORE?! Julie Dawn Cole brought that iconic character to life, and we're thrilled to report that she's still acting it up! After Wonka, Julie starred in a string of TV shows, including Emmerdale and EastEnders. She even dabbled in psychotherapy and worked as a children's services manager at Woking Hospice.

But the real scoop is that Julie auctioned off some of her Wonka memorabilia to raise funds for charity – talk about giving back! And did you know that she's still revisiting her childhood role by performing in Willy Wonka Revisited: The Veruca Salt Sessions?

Paris Themmen: From TV Whiz Kid to Photography Pro

Based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 book, the movie told the story of five schoolchildren who won the chance to tour the magical factory belonging to candy man Wonka after finding golden tickets

Remember Mike Teavee, the TV-obsessed kid who got shrunk down to a tiny size? Paris Themmen brought that character to life, and we're excited to report that he's still in the entertainment industry! After Wonka, Paris dabbled in film production and commercial casting. He even founded Access International, a travel service for backpackers.

But what really gets our attention is that Paris often signs autographs at movie conventions and runs his own photography business. That's right, folks – this former child star has got skills!

Gene Wilder: The Wonka Whisperer

Now we know what happened to Peter, but what about the rest of the Willy Wonka cast? What have they been up to over the last five decades?

Ah, Gene Wilder – the one and only Willy Wonka! Who could forget his iconic entrance, limping onto the scene with his cane? Well, did you know that Gene was a household name long before he agreed to play Wonka? He even got a special condition for his role – can you guess what it was?

Gene went on to star in Young Frankenstein, Stir Crazy, and See No Evil, Hear No Evil. He even wrote and directed several movies! But sadly, Gene passed away in 2016 after a three-year battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Denise Nickerson: The Gum-Gobbling Diva

Julie Dawn Cole, now 67, played spoilt brat Veruca Salt - the girl that always wanted more - in the film

Who could forget Violet Beauregarde, the gum-chewing fanatic who turned blue? Denise Nickerson brought that character to life, and we're happy to report that she's still acting it up! After Wonka, Denise starred in Search for Tomorrow, The Brady Bunch, and Dark Shadows.

But did you know that Denise developed 13 cavities while preparing for her role as Violet?! Talk about method acting!

Michael Bollner: From Augustus Gloop to Taxman

Her character ended up plummeting down a garbage chute after she stands on an eggdicator and it shows her to be a 'bad egg'

Remember Augustus Gloop, the chocolate-loving chubby-cheeked kid who got sucked into a river? Michael Bollner brought that character to life, and we're thrilled to report that he's still living in Germany! After Wonka, Michael traded acting for tax – yes, you read that right! He runs his own tax office in Munich.

But the real scoop is that Michael shows the Wonka movie every Christmas to his employees! Talk about a sweet holiday tradition!

Jack Albertson: The Grandpa with a Golden Heart

Afterwards, the mother-of-two, from Guildford, starred on television shows including Fat Families, long-running soap operas Emmerdale and EastEnders, and hospital drama Holby City

Who could forget Grandpa Joe, the wise and witty old chap who took Charlie on an adventure? Jack Albertson brought that character to life, and we're sad to report that he passed away in 1981 at the age of 74. But did you know that Jack won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of John Cleary in The Subject Of Roses?

Roy Kinnear: From Henry Salt to Family Man

Remember Henry Salt, the kindly old chap who gave Charlie advice? Roy Kinnear brought that character to life, and we're happy to report that he had a long and successful career in film and TV! After Wonka, Roy starred in Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, The Four Musketeers, and Herbie Goes To Monte Carlo.

She's now a qualified psychotherapist but regularly revisits her childhood role, having starred in the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe show Willy Wonka Revisited: The Veruca Salt Sessions

But the real scoop is that Roy's children followed in his footsteps – his son Rory became a successful actor, while his daughter Kirsty became a casting director!

Rusty Goffe: From Oompa Loompa to Harry Potter

Who could forget the head Oompa Loompa, Rusty Goffe? After Wonka, Rusty enjoyed a successful career in film and TV, starring in Flash Gordon, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, and five of the seven Harry Potter films!

Paris Themmen, who starred as television-mad Mike Teavee in Willy Wonka, still works in the entertainment industry. He's seen in the movie

But did you know that Rusty was just 22 when he played the head Oompa Loompa?! Talk about a youthful start to a long and illustrious career!

He's taken occasional television roles in adulthood and he's also dabbled in film production and commercial casting. He's seen in 2023

Gene was a household name long before he agreed to play Wonka

Gene did not slow down after Willy Wonka, starring in Young Frankenstein, Stir Crazy, See No Evil, Hear No Evil, and Another You, amongst others. He's seen in 2013

Denise Nickerson later revealed her role as chewing-gum fanatic Violet Beauregarde nearly cost her her teeth

Denise (seen in 2016) was a regular on shows such as Search for Tomorrow, The Brady Bunch, Dark Shadows, and The Electric Company. Her last role was Zero To Sixty in 1978

Michael Bollner played chocolate-chomping Augustus Gloop and he still lives in Germany

He traded acting for tax... that's right, the chubby-cheeked child star is now an accountant in Munich

Michael later revealed the chocolate river in Willy Wonka was in fact just water which was just 15 centimeters deep

Jack Albertson, who played Grandpa Joe, sadly passed away in November 1981 at the age of 74

Before his sad passing, he had a successful career in acting, including various stints on Broadway and numerous other film roles. He's seen in Willy Wonka

Roy Kinnear had already worked with The Beatles on their 1965 film Help! before starring as Henry Salt in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

His extensive film and TV career spanned more than 40-years and included roles in Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, The Four Musketeers, and Herbie Goes To Monte Carlo

His son Rory Kinnear followed in his father's footsteps to have his own successful career as an actor starring in the film The Bank of Dave and James Bond

Rusty Goffe starred as the head Oompa Loompa in Willy Wonka, and as such was one of the few to receive a credit on the film

The Kent-born actor, now 76, enjoyed a successful career after Willy Wonka and was last seen on screen in 2016. He's seen in 2022