Archive August 2, 2025

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, starring Charlie in Gene Wilder’s 1971 film, still generates a small income after making a completely different career.

Child star Peter Ostrum still makes royalties from his role as Charlie in the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, 54 years after it was released in 1971. Although Ostrum was one of the classic movie’s lead characters, alongside Gene Wilder, he completely turned his back on acting, and instead chose a very different career.

Ostrum, 67, is a father of two and a retired veterinarian. He never made his role as Charlie his sole acting gig.

In an interview at a screening of the movie at his local Snowtown Film Festival in 2018, he was asked if he makes any money from his short-lived acting career. Due to residuals from screenings of the film on TV, he revealed he gets a cheque for roughly $8 to $9 every few months, despite the Johnny Depp remake making half a billion dollars. It comes after reports Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are set for new ‘goldmine’ offer – but could face issue .

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When he met his wife, Loretta M. Lepkowski, he revealed in the same interview that she had no idea that he was a small part of Hollywood history. She continued, “Once I saw it, I realized that he had a significant part.”

He mentioned how the movie was received, which he called “lukewarm” at the time. Gene Wilder, a major film star, plays the titular character, but he claimed that audiences simply “forgot about it” because the movie grossed about $4 million at the box office.

You can’t kill Wonka, Ostrum said during a Yahoo virtual reunion held in 2021. Whether it’s the original or the Johnny Depp remake, it just keeps playing.

“And that brought our movie’s attention back.” Parents told kids, “You need to see the original, kids saw the kids. “

“Anything that discusses Wonka is beneficial to the Wonka story.” Regardless of whether the author or the creator is telling the story, it needs to be told again.

Peter revealed how his life went straight back to normal after he finished filming the movie. Speaking to the Mirror in 2013, Peter said: “I get calls every time there’s a new version of the story or some fresh look at the film. You can’t kill Charlie and the Chocolate Factory… it keeps resurfacing in different formats.

It’s pretty neat that it’s still so popular because we had no idea how successful it would be then. My kids have read it, and I’m sure they enjoyed it.

He continued, “I have a great affection for the idea that good things happen to people if you are sincere, diligent, and do the right thing.” He eventually accepted a three-film offer, but he rejected it because he detested being away from home.

I enjoyed doing it, but I couldn’t really see myself doing it for the rest of my life, Peter said. How many children can transition from a successful acting career as a child to an acting career as an adult?

You can count on one hand Ron Howard and Jodie Foster. I believe I was acting like a bad singer in the movie when they said they wouldn’t use my voice, but they did.

“I liked the acting, but I wanted something more consistent. Finding something you enjoy doing is what I did, and that’s what I did.

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Laura Hamilton, the presenter, won praise from fans for her confident response when a troll called her “too old” for a bikini.

A Place in the Sun presenter Laura Hamilton has publicly addressed an online remark claiming she was “too old” to wear a bikini, responding with a defiant post on social media.

The 43‑year‑old revealed earlier this week that she had read the comment on one of her recent Instagram posts. Instead of ignoring it, Hamilton used the opportunity to speak out about body confidence and ageism.

She shared a new photo showing herself sitting poolside in a blue and white bikini, along with a video of her relaxing on a day-bed with her daughter. It comes after the A Place In The Sun presenter shared an ‘exciting’ update as fans ‘congratulated’ the star.

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She posed the question, “Who decides when we’re too old for anything?” She continued, saying, “I recently read a comment that I was too old to wear a bikini, and it really made me stop and think.” However, I then realized that my life is too precious to be concerned about what other people think.

Hamilton claimed that the comment was unrelated to her choice to wear the swimsuit that day. She wrote, “Today I’m wearing a swimsuit, not because of the comment I read, but because I wanted to and feel at ease in it.”

No matter our age or whether we choose to wear a swimsuit or a bikini, she said, “We all have days when we feel self-conscious, but we deserve to enjoy the sunshine, the beach, the pool, whatever makes us happy.” “!

She said, “Live your life and feel good in your own skin,” as she finished her post.

Fans praised Hamilton’s self-assurance and refusal to be let down in the comments section, which was flooded with support messages.

You look incredible, and you inspire women everywhere, according to a follower. When you look and feel fantastic, nothing else matters.

Another person said, “Ignore the trolls.” You’re gorgeous, confident, and demonstrate that grace and style are unrestricted to men.

“Thank you for speaking up,” added a third person. You’ve just given me the confidence to stop caring because I’m in my 40s and frequently feel judged for what I wear.

Others criticized Laura’s statement as being focused solely on appearance and rejecting outdated notions of what women can and cannot do as they age.

With Jasmine Harman joining A Place In The Sun since 2004, Laura has come a long way and is now the program’s second-longest presenter.

However, after more than ten years, viewers may wonder if Laura is considering relocating. When questioned about her potential role on the program, Laura responded, “I’ve been working in the television and industry for a very long time.

” Since I was 18! I started presenting when I was 22 years old, and I’m excited to be continuing my filming, directing with A Place in the Sun, and creating new content for real estate. I am actively involved in property management, which I don’t do in any way related to TV.

Laura explained that the team has had ample time to understand the needs of the house hunters because the show airs an hour each weekday and is only shown for an hour each weekday.

She continued, “I guess they feel like they know us because Channel 4 has the second longest-running program.”

“So people feel comfortable around us and like we know who we are.” It’s fantastic for me, and it’s perfect! A little bit of travel, some people, and some property”!

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