Date of Birth : Nov 1st 1957
American veterinarian and former child actor whose only film role was Charlie Bucket in the 1971 motion picture Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
Ostrum was born in Dallas, Texas, U.S., but mainly raised in Shaker Heights, Ohio (a suburb of Cleveland), and was a student at Malvern Elementary School when he was named to the role. He also went to University School. After the film Ostrum was offered a three-picture contract, but turned it down; he retired from acting and graduated from North Hunterdon High School in Annandale, New Jersey.
Willy Wonka remains Ostrum’s only film credit after he decided that the life of an actor was not for him; instead, he received a veterinary medical degree from Cornell University and is now a successful veterinarian who specializes in cattle and horses in Glenfield, New York.
He was parodied on Saturday Night Live in a “Where are they now?” bit. He was portrayed by Amy Poehler. The real Ostrum has appeared on the real version of Where Are They Now: Child Actors on VH1. In February 2009, Ostrum partnered with Dunkin’ Donuts to help promote their new alternate slogan “You ‘Kin Do It!” in Boston; he helped give out “Charlie Cards” (named for the MBTA’S mascot Charlie) to commuters on Boston’s commuter system. Ostrum gave a “Golden Ticket” to one lucky commuter, which gives them unlimited rides on the rail system in 2009 and a year of free Dunkin’ Donuts coffee.
