<P> Since 1990, Ostrum has since spoken to students at Lowville Academy once a year--on the last day of school, as a special treat--about his experience in Willy Wonka as well as his work in veterinary medicine . The students chiefly ask about the film's special effects, and Ostrum describes to them "what happened to Veruca, how did Violet blow up like a blueberry, how did Charlie fly with Grandpa Joe, all those types of questions ." Ostrum also accepted an invitation to appear at the 2018 Snowtown Film Festival in Watertown, New York, answering audience questions after a screening of the film; "it's in my backyard--it's become a popular event in January and I like to support local events ." Ostrum said of the 2018 event that he enjoyed re-watching the film, and that people ask him "great questions ." Ostrum has been called "the most famous man in Lowville", where the local video rental shop has twice worn out its VHS copy of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory . </P> <P> In the run - up to the release of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory in 2005, Ostrum garnered a spate of attention that included seeing the film in New York City with NPR as well as being included in VH1's list of "100 Greatest Kid Stars" (placing 78th). On the new film, Ostrum quoted fellow Wonka actor Julie Dawn Cole, saying that "It's sort of like going back to a house that you once lived in and it's been redecorated ." Ultimately, the media attention was so pervasive that Ostrum stopped answering his phone, and requested "please, no more interviews ." </P> <P> In January 2009, Ostrum teamed up with Dunkin' Donuts to hand out free rides on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) at South Station in Boston, Massachusetts; Ostrum's participation connected the MBTA's CharlieCards he was handing out with his portrayal of Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka . The promotion also gave out one "golden ticket", worth unlimited rides on MBTA and unlimited Dunkin' Donuts coffee for 2009 . </P> <P> In October 2000, Ostrum and some of his co-stars from the film were scheduled to record an audio commentary for a special edition DVD . In a 2010 interview, Wonka co-star Denise Nickerson (Violet Beauregarde) revealed that Ostrum had agreed to join her and Paris Themmen (Wonka's Mike Teevee) for a reunion commemorating the 40th anniversary of the film's release in 2011 . </P>

Who played willy wonka in charlie and the chocolate factory