Peter Ostrum's Personal Golden Ticket

Rogue opinion: the original Willy Wonka is better than the new one.

Not the point of this post though. Today we're highlighting Peter Ostrum, better known as the actor who played Charlie in the 1971 film adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic book: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Aged 13, Peter played one of the most iconic roles a kid could imagine, helping cement Willy Wonka in pride of place amongst our childhood memories.

So, when he was offered two more films after global success, what do you reckon Peter said?

He said "No thanks, mate!"

He had other aspirations.

As a teenager, Peter came into contact with a veterinarian, and is quoted as saying that the meeting "made a huge impression on [him]. This person really enjoyed what he did for a living… [it] really sparked my interest."

He turned that spark into a crackling fire. Thirteen years after the release of Willy Wonka, the actor who played Charlie received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. A career he continues until this day.

Peter only ever appeared in one that film. He opted not to lean into the trappings of cinema, deciding to pick a different, less star-spangled lane.

Now living in Lowville, a small U.S. town with a population of around 4,000 people, Dr Ostrum spends time with his family and works a job that he loves.

Once a year, he speaks to the kids at the local high school, underlining the belief that we can go anywhere. We can do anything. 

Whether that anything is on the other side of the world, or is staying exactly where you are right now, doesn't matter in the slightest.

Both can be fantastic.

What do you want to do?