- 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.
- For a long time, I hated talking about the movie [Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)] . When anyone brought it up, I wanted to change the topic. I didn't want to be known as that former child actor. Now, since I've been out of the industry for so long and have grown up, I look on the whole experience with fond memories and see it as a wonderful part of my life. It's fun to reflect now with the maturity that I didn't have at one point when I was younger.
- Back then when [Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)] came out, there was no red carpet premiere. I was in my hometown in Ohio and they had an opening there and I was the only one there. There was a little bit of fanfare but not much and the film died a quiet death. It had lukewarm reviews and people forgot about it. It wasn't until video ten years later that it resurfaced and it took on a life of its own.
- I enjoyed doing it [Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)] , but I couldn't really see myself doing it for the rest of my life. How many kids carry a successful child acting career into an adult acting career? The Jodie Fosters and Ron Howards you can count on one hand. I think I just played myself in the film--in real life I am a horrible singer and they told me that they weren't going to use my voice but they did. Acting was fine, but I wanted something more steady. The key is to find something you love doing, and that's what I got.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content