Peter Ostrum

Peter Gardner Ostrum, born on November 1, 1957, is an American veterinarian who gained fame as a child actor, most notably for his role as Charlie Bucket in the 1971 classic film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. At the age of 12, he was discovered by talent agents and cast in this iconic role. While he enjoyed the filming process, he chose not to pursue a career in acting further and declined a three-film contract after Willy Wonka. As a result, he became somewhat reticent about his time in the spotlight. However, starting in 1990, he began visiting schools to share his experiences from the film, rekindling interest in his story, especially with the release of Tim Burton’s 2005 adaptation, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Following his acting stint, Ostrum developed a passion for horses, influenced by the veterinarian who cared for his family's animals. He pursued this interest academically and earned a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. As of 2021, Ostrum practices veterinary medicine in Glenfield, New York, where he lives with his wife, Loretta (née Lepkowski), and they have raised two children together.