Peter Gardner Ostrum (/ˈoʊstrəm/; born November 1, 1957) is an
American veterinarian and former child actor whose only film role was
as Charlie Bucket in the 1971 motion picture Willy Wonka & the
Chocolate Factory.Ostrum was 12 years old when selected by talent
agents for Willy Wonka. Though he enjoyed the experience of shooting
the film, he opted not to sign a three-film contract when it was over.
After eschewing a career in film and theatre, Ostrum became reluctant
to speak about his one starring role. In 1990, he began an annual
tradition of speaking to schoolchildren about the film, and he became
a subject of interest again when the 2005 film Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory was released to theaters.Ostrum became interested in
horses when he returned from shooting Willy Wonka, and was
particularly influenced by the veterinarian that tended to them.
Receiving his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984, as of 2005[update] Ostrum
practiced and lived in Lowville, New York with his wife Loretta (née
Lepkowski), and two children: son, Leif, and daughter, Helenka.Peter
Gardner Ostrum was born in Dallas on November 1, 1957 to Dean Gardner
Ostrum (1922â€"2014) and Sarepta Mabel née Pierpont (born 1922). He
is the youngest of four children. Ostrum was living in Cleveland at
age twelve, a city of which he was described as a native by MSNBC.
American veterinarian and former child actor whose only film role was
as Charlie Bucket in the 1971 motion picture Willy Wonka & the
Chocolate Factory.Ostrum was 12 years old when selected by talent
agents for Willy Wonka. Though he enjoyed the experience of shooting
the film, he opted not to sign a three-film contract when it was over.
After eschewing a career in film and theatre, Ostrum became reluctant
to speak about his one starring role. In 1990, he began an annual
tradition of speaking to schoolchildren about the film, and he became
a subject of interest again when the 2005 film Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory was released to theaters.Ostrum became interested in
horses when he returned from shooting Willy Wonka, and was
particularly influenced by the veterinarian that tended to them.
Receiving his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984, as of 2005[update] Ostrum
practiced and lived in Lowville, New York with his wife Loretta (née
Lepkowski), and two children: son, Leif, and daughter, Helenka.Peter
Gardner Ostrum was born in Dallas on November 1, 1957 to Dean Gardner
Ostrum (1922â€"2014) and Sarepta Mabel née Pierpont (born 1922). He
is the youngest of four children. Ostrum was living in Cleveland at
age twelve, a city of which he was described as a native by MSNBC.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.