Peter Ostrum

Peter Ostrum’s breakout role as Charlie Bucket in the ’70s picture Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory would turn out to be his only role. After the movie was released, he immediately retired and would go on to become a veterinarian. In recent interviews, Ostrum has explained part of his departure from acting had to do with the lukewarm response Wonka made upon initial release: “There was a bit of fanfare but not much and the film died a quiet death.” Of course since then, the movie has gone on to become a legendary classic, but Ostrum still prefers his quiet life with his animals: “The key is to find something you love doing, and that’s what I got.”