Where The Cast Of Willy Wonka Are Today

I think we can all agree that Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory is the ONLY adaptation of the book that is acceptable. Johnny Depp in a 2005 version? That sounds fake to me. Willy Wonka was just as magical and fun as the book! Didn't it make you want to go and visit the chocolate factory, hang out with Oompa Loompas and eat a bunch of candy?! I think it's time to rewatch the movie and also see where the cast is now! Here's a look at how the stars landed the role and what they've been up to since being part of a classic movie!

1. THEN – Gene Wilder was cast as the weird chocolate factory owner because the producers thought he had star quality and worldwide appeal.

Gene's said SO many times in interviews that it's one of his favorite roles ever. 

NOW – Gene has been in so many things! He was in Young Frankentstein, The Little Prince and Will & Grace.

Did you know that he came up with Willy Wonka's entrance where he does a somersault after hobbling with a cane? He said it's so that nobody would know if he's telling the truth or not.

2. THEN – Julie Dawn Cole played the girl who wanted it all and wanted it NOW. She played Veruca Salt, the brattiest of all brats.

Willy Wonka was her first movie role and she had to audition three times for it! 

NOW – Julie was one of the few cast members who continued acting after the success of Willy Wonka! She might not be very popular to us but she's pretty successful in the U.K.!

She's been on a ton of TV shows there!

3. THEN – Peter Ostrum played Charlie Bucket, the one who won it all in the end!

Peter was chosen to play Charlie from his theater class in Cleveland.

NOW – Willy Wonka was the only movie Peter acted in! After that, he became a veterinarian and specializes in dairy cattle and horses!

4. THEN – Denise Nickerson was already working in Hollywood when she was cast as Violet Beauregarde. She was in a popular soap opera called Dark Shadows.

The scene where Violet just blows up and turns blue is still my fav!

NOW – After she played Violet, Denise was in another soap opera before calling it quits. She's now an accountant in Denver!

Denise said that she and Julie had the BIGGEST crush on Peter. They both tried to spend the most time with him on set!

5. THEN – Paris Themmen played Mike Teavee, the kid who is obsessed with TV. So... he's all of us, am I right?!

Before Willy Wonka, he was in dozens of radio and TV commercials! 

NOW – Paris took a break from acting to start a travel service! Right now, he directs TV commercials in LA!

Mike Teavee is all grown up and still obsessed with TV! He can't escape it! 

6. THEN – Michael Bollner played mean and greedy Augustus Gloop.

 Michael had to learn English to play the role since he came from Germany!

NOW – Willy Wonkais the only acting role he's ever done! He still lives in Germany and runs his own accounting business!

7. THEN – Rusty Goffe played an Oompa Loompa and it was his first role ever!

NOW – He was a Jawa in Star Wars: A New Hope and also played a goblin in the Harry Pottermovies!

Even though most of the cast aren't acting anymore, they still keep in touch with each other ALL the time. 

Peter says that he hasn't seen Gene in years but the actors that played the kids always have reunions. Peter says they all consider each other family! 

COMMENTand tell us which your favorite scene from the movie!

Mine is definitely when Augustus fell in the chocolate river. If that was me, I'd be drinking all the chocolate!