He now functions as a veterinarian in Lowville, Ny, where he’s taken part in Pfizer’s video collection “Veterinarians on Call”. A native of Cleveland, Ostrum was 12 years old when chosen by talent agents for “Willy Wonka”. Though he loved the experience of shooting the movie, he elected to not sign a three-picture contract when it had been over. After eschewing a profession in film and theatre, Ostrum became unwilling to speak about his one starring part. In 1990, he started an annual convention of speaking to schoolchildren concerning the movie, and he became a topic of interest again when 2005’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” premiered in theatres. Ostrum became interested in horses when he returned from shooting “Willy Wonka”, and was especially affected by the veterinarian that tended to them.
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine (1984)
Nationality
United States of America
Spouse
Loretta Ostrum
Children
Helenka Ostrum, Leif Ostrum
Nicknames
Peter Gardner Ostrum , Pete
Movies
, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Role Model
TV Shows
100 Greatest Kid Stars
Star Sign
Scorpio
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Quote
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For a long time I hated talking about the movie. When anyone brought it up, I wanted to change the topic. I didn't want to be known as that former child actor. Now, since I've been out of the industry for so long and have grown up, I look on the whole experience with fond memories and see it as a wonderful part of my life. It's fun to reflect now with the maturity that I didn't have at one point when I was younger.
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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.
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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.
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[on how he almost returned to performing]: When I made Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (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.
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[on making Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (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.
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When the picture was over, it was like it had never happened. I returned to school and by the time it was in theatres I'd changed a lot so I wasn't even recognised 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.
Today, a practitioner in Glenfield, New York, Dr. Ostrum visits public schools in his community to talk about his experiences, what it's like to be a veterinarian, and how one's life changes with the decisions one makes. [January 2002]
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In 1984 he earned a doctorate from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.
$500 Thousand
