I was the star of one the most beloved childhood movies ever – I never acted again and now I’ve got a normal job
A FORMER actor who starred in a beloved childhood film has revealed that he now has a very normal job.
Peter Ostrum, 65, starred as sweet Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at 12 years old alongside Gene Walker and Jack Albertson.
Directors selected young Peter for the lead role after seeing his acting skills in theatre productions in Ohio.
In the summer of 1970, the Texas-born actor started filming in Munich right before starting seventh grade (year eight) in 1970.
The adaptation of Road Dahl’s classic was released in June 1971 and captivated viewers and critics alike with its fantastic escape to chocolate land.
The film’s music score was nominated for an Academy Award, and star Gene Wilder was nominated for a Golden Globe, but lost to Israeli actor Chaim Topol.
Despite his rise to fame, Peter opted to leave Hollywood soon after and pursue a completely different career as a veterinarian.
“The film industry just wasn’t for me,” he shared during a November 2016 speech at the University of Missouri.
In 1984, the former child actor graduated from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Despite walking away from the spotlight, Peter admitted the one time he considered returning to Hollywood.
“The only time I ever considered it again was when I heard they were holding auditions to replace Peter Firth in Equus on Broadway,” he told HollywoodChicago at the time.
“My thinking was that perhaps I should at least present myself.
“Getting the part would have been like lightning striking twice, but I didn’t get it.
“So, I continued in school with the same majors — animal husbandry and veterinary medicine.”
He has since been working as a veterinary practitioner in New York, where he currently resides with his family.
Peter married his wife, Loretta Lepkowski, in 1987 and welcomed two children, Helenka and Leif.
After Gene’s death in August 2016 due to complications of Alzheimer’s, Peter paid tribute to his former co-star.
“It’s kind of like losing a parent,” he told Variety.
“You know it’s going to happen, but it’s still a shock.
“He was not in good health at the end, and it was not unexpected by any means, but when it happens it hits you like, ‘Gene is gone and there will never be anyone like him again.’”