What happened to the kid who played Charlie in the original 'Chocolate Factory?'

Remembering Willy Wonka (but just briefly)

The Hollywood rarity

Making a splash in Hollywood is tough. Doing it with your first film is rarer still. But hitting it big with your first Hollywood movie and then exiting stage left forever? That's a real rarity.

Meet Peter Ostrum

You might not recall his name, but he's the one who played Charlie Bucket in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' (1971).

One and done

Peter Ostrum, who brought Charlie to life in Gene Wilder's iconic Willy Wonka film, shot to fame with this one role and then disappeared. Ever wondered why? Let's explore his story.

From Dallas to Cleveland and stardom

Born in Dallas in 1957, Peter lived there until his family moved to Cleveland when he was 13. It was in Cleveland where he discovered his passion for acting and theater.

A fortuitous encounter

Fate intervened when a talent scout looking for a lead for 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory' stumbled upon Peter in Cleveland. In a sense, it was like his very own golden ticket.

The ideal Charlie

With his angelic looks, friendly charm, and golden locks, there was no doubt in their minds: Peter Ostrum was the one. He was called to New York for an audition where he sang the national anthem. They loved him.

Right place, right time

Peter Ostrum's tale is a classic example of being in the right place at the right time. The adaptation of Roald Dahl's novel was set to be a hit, especially with Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka.

Willy 'Daddy' Wonka

Thus, Peter Ostrum headed to Munich for the filming under Mel Stuart's direction. As Ostrum himself shared in 'Remembering Gene Wilder,' the star of the movie was like a father to him, offering advice on his acting debut. However, between scenes, the young actor received acting coaching to at least learn the basics of filming.

An enduring classic

The film was released and is considered a classic today, but back in 1971, Peter Ostrum was seen as a budding star. Consequently, David L. Wolper, the film's producer, offered him a three-movie contract.

A pivotal decision

Yet, Peter Ostrum decided to heed the advice of Frawley Becker, his acting coach, who recommended not signing the contract to maintain his "freedom to choose what to do and in which films." The reality is that he never returned to acting.

Overwhelmed by the attention

Ostrum recounted to 'Collider' that while the experience was rewarding, the media attention after overwhelmed him. He even claimed that it wasn't him but his brother who starred in the film. In fact, he kept his brief Hollywood stardom hidden from his wife until the day he met his mother-in-law, who recognized him.

Binning his golden ticket

So, what did Peter Ostrum end up doing? He went from acting to animal care. The former actor pursued a degree in Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University (the same one attended by Andy Bernard) and has dedicated his life to veterinary practice.

Remembering Willy Wonka (but just briefly)

Although he has appeared on a few TV shows like 'Oprah,' 'Top Chef,' and the special 'Remembering Gene Wilder,' he's made it clear that his Hollywood journey was meant to be brief, and so it was. "Simply put, the film industry wasn't for me," he admitted in the special.

Very few royalties

With that said, despite his brief experience, the actor has mentioned at some special screenings of the film that he still receives income from the movie's royalties: about $8 to $9 every quarter.

A perfect track record in Hollywood

It's curious how millions flock to the Mecca of Cinema seeking fame, money, and recognition, yet Peter Ostrum did the exact opposite. However, his acting resume is flawless: one film, one massive hit still loved decades later.

What did Roald Dahl think?

By the way, as recounted in his memoirs, Roald Dahl despised this film adaptation. From Gene Wilder to the Oompa Loompas, the script, and the musical scenes, he wasn't a fan.