Willy Wonka Actress Denise Nickerson Passes Away

She was best known for playing Violet in the 1971 classic film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory starring the late Gene Wilder and now Denise Nickerson sadly passed away late Wednesday, July 10, after being taken off life support earlier that day. She was just 62 years old.

Nickerson suffered a stroke last year, but she was home on Monday, July 8 when she reportedly decided to take as much of her medication as she could. Her family found her and took her to the hospital.

Once at the hospital, the doctors diagnosed the former actress with pneumonia. She then suffered a seizure on Tuesday, July 9 and was immediately put on life support. According to TMZ, her condition quickly worsened and her family decided to take her off the respirator Wednesday.

Her family created a GoFundMe page to honor Nickerson’s wishes of being cremated and having her ashes turned into glass artwork. And though she starred in one of the most popular films of all time, Nickerson’s acting career was fairly short-lived.

She appeared in the TV show The Electric Company back in 1972 and 1973 and was also in an episode of The Brady Bunch in 1974, but her final role came in 1978 in the movie Zero To Sixty. After leaving acting, Nickerson became a nurse.

Nickerson is survived by her son, Josh, and her daughter-in-law, who had been taking care of her since she had her stroke last year. Entertainment Hub’s thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time.