Biography

Willy Wonka au pays enchanté (1971) was his only film appearance. He later went on to become a veterinarian.

In 1984 received his doctorate from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Was offered a three-picture contract after Willy Wonka au pays enchanté (1971), which he turned down.

Resided in Munich, Germany, for more than six months while filming Willy Wonka au pays enchanté (1971).

Has two children: Helenka Ostrum and Leif Ostrum.

When the picture [Willy Wonka au pays enchanté (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 au pays enchanté (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 au pays enchanté (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.