The cast of Willy Wonka 50 years on: Then and now

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    Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket)
    1/12 Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket)
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    Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket) was offered a three-picture deal on the strength of his performance as Bucket, however, Ostrum quit acting by the end of high school and went on to get a veterinarian degree from Cornell University. These days he runs a veterinarian practice in Lowville, New York.
    2/12 Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket) was offered a three-picture deal on the strength of his performance as Bucket, however, Ostrum quit acting by the end of high school and went on to get a veterinarian degree from Cornell University. These days he runs a veterinarian practice in Lowville, New York.
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    Julie Cole (Veruca Salt)
    3/12 Julie Cole (Veruca Salt)
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    Julie Cole (Veruca Salt) has appeared on several British television series — such as 'EastEnders' and 'Emmerdale' — for the better part of the past four decades. She also appeared as a fictionalised version of herself in the stage show 'Willy Wonka Revisited: The Veruca Salt Sessions'. Cole has two children.
    4/12 Julie Cole (Veruca Salt) has appeared on several British television series — such as 'EastEnders' and 'Emmerdale' — for the better part of the past four decades. She also appeared as a fictionalised version of herself in the stage show 'Willy Wonka Revisited: The Veruca Salt Sessions'. Cole has two children.
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    Paris Themmen (Mike TeeVee)
    5/12 Paris Themmen (Mike TeeVee)
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    Paris Themmen (Mike TeeVee) has had a few very minor acting roles since making his debut in 'Willy Wonka' — most notably a 2000 episode of 'Star Trek: Voyager'. The 61-year old lives in Los Angeles and makes his living in commercial casting.
    6/12 Paris Themmen (Mike TeeVee) has had a few very minor acting roles since making his debut in 'Willy Wonka' — most notably a 2000 episode of 'Star Trek: Voyager'. The 61-year old lives in Los Angeles and makes his living in commercial casting.
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    Denise Nickerson (Violet Beauregarde)
    7/12 Denise Nickerson (Violet Beauregarde)
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    Denise Nickerson (Violet Beauregarde) had roles on several TV shows and made-for-TV films but retired from acting in 1978 at the age of 21. Sadly, she passed away at the age of 62 in 2019 after developing pneumonia and experiencing several seizures.
    8/12 Denise Nickerson (Violet Beauregarde) had roles on several TV shows and made-for-TV films but retired from acting in 1978 at the age of 21. Sadly, she passed away at the age of 62 in 2019 after developing pneumonia and experiencing several seizures.
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    Michael Bollner (Augustus Gloop)
    9/12 Michael Bollner (Augustus Gloop)
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    Michael Bollner (Augustus Gloop) wanted to continue acting, but his father insisted he finish his education, so 'Willy Wonka' stands as his only film. Seemingly normal-sized — if a bit chubby — as Gloop, Bollner grew to be a massive 6’7 and these days the 62-year-old runs a successful accounting business in Germany.
    10/12 Michael Bollner (Augustus Gloop) wanted to continue acting, but his father insisted he finish his education, so 'Willy Wonka' stands as his only film. Seemingly normal-sized — if a bit chubby — as Gloop, Bollner grew to be a massive 6’7 and these days the 62-year-old runs a successful accounting business in Germany.
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    Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka)
    11/12 Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka)
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    Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka) was already successful when he was cast as Wonka, having starred in Mel Brooks' 'The Producers'. The most accomplished actor from the cast, Wilder went on to appear in films such as 'Young Frankenstein', 'The Frisco Kid' and 'Blazing Saddles'. After a guest role on 'Will & Grace' in 2003, Wilder retired from acting. Wilder passed away on August 29 2016, at the age of 83.
    12/12 Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka) was already successful when he was cast as Wonka, having starred in Mel Brooks' 'The Producers'. The most accomplished actor from the cast, Wilder went on to appear in films such as 'Young Frankenstein', 'The Frisco Kid' and 'Blazing Saddles'. After a guest role on 'Will & Grace' in 2003, Wilder retired from acting. Wilder passed away on August 29 2016, at the age of 83.

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It's hard to believe by the beloved movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory turned 50 yesterday!

Released in 1971, director Mel Stuart's adaptation of Roald Dahl's 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' captured the hearts and minds of children around the world.

Starring Gene Wilder as the cooky chocolatier, the film would eventually spawn a successful candy brand based on the story.

Take a look at where the original cast is now ...