- Born
- Birth namePeter Gardner Ostrum
- Nickname
- Pete
- Peter Ostrum was born on November 1, 1957 in Dallas, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), Sicko (2007) and Remembering Gene Wilder (2023). He has been married to Loretta Lepkowski since 1987. They have two children.
- SpouseLoretta Lepkowski(1987 - present) (2 children)
- ChildrenHelenka
- ParentsSarepta Mabel née PierpontDean Gardner Ostrum
- RelativesSibling(Sibling)
- In 1984 received his doctorate from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
- Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) was his only film appearance. He later went on to become a veterinarian.
- Was offered a three-picture contract after Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), which he turned down.
- Resided in Munich, Germany, for more than six months while filming Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971).
- Has two children: Helenka Ostrum and Leif Ostrum.
- When the picture [Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)] was over, it was like it had never happened. I returned to school and by the time it was in theaters I'd changed a lot so I wasn't even recognized much. So when I was, it was always a nice experience because people like 'Charlie'. He's a nice kid. My parents told me to look on it as an experience, which is what I did. My mom and dad were not at all stage parents. They made sure I had a clear choice about what I did for a living. I'm really grateful to them because being a veterinarian is very gratifying.
- [on making Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)] The entire experience was better than enjoyable. It was really interesting. But I had a chance to see what everyone's job entailed and I knew I didn't want to do any of those things for a living. Including being stars like Gene Wilder and Jack Albertson. When it was over, I was anxious to become just another kid again.
- [on how he almost returned to performing] When I made Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), acting was something that interested me. It still does, but not as a profession. The only time I ever considered it again was when I heard they were holding auditions to replace Peter Firth in "Equus" on Broadway. 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.
- Do I regret turning down the movie offer? I don't think so. I love the job I am doing right now. Granted it is about as far away from Hollywood as you can get, but I have a feeling of self-satisfaction with it. I don't believe that I made the right choice or the wrong choice. I made a choice that fit what I wanted, and it shaped how life unfolded for me. Would have life been better if I took the movie offer? Maybe, but I'll never know, and it's something I'll never question.
- He frightened me! We had become good friends during the filming, so I had no idea why he was yelling at me during the scene. The director then yells "cut" and Gene all of sudden smiles and was like "great job!" I was so confused on what just happened, but realized he and David (Seltzer) had prepared how to do the scene and didn't want to tell me so they could get a more genuine reaction. What can you say, it worked.
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