<P> In 2000, Ostrum recalled that shooting Willy Wonka in Munich was "sort of like being an exchange student for five months". Fond memories of his five months in West Germany included watching the construction of Olympiapark, Munich, for the 1972 Summer Olympics, and working with Gene Wilder and Jack Albertson . Ostrum was tutored on - set for three hours a day, though sometimes only for 30--60 minutes at a time . Though in his audition he had been assured that his singing would probably be cut and dubbed, it was Ostrum's own singing voice that made it to the screen--albeit significantly cut . In a 2011 interview, Ostrum told the story of how director Mel Stuart gave him a clapperboard from the film, and later on asked him how he got it because he had forgotten that he had done so; it is Ostrum's only souvenir from the set . After he finished shooting Willy Wonka, the then 13 - year - old Ostrum declined the offer of a three - film contract, later recalling that "(e) verybody thinks that acting is such a glamorous profession, but it's a difficult profession ." In January 2018, Ostrum said he sometimes misses acting--though not its hurry - up - and - wait nature--but feels he dodged having to make the transition from child - to adult - actor . </P> <P> As of January 2018, Ostrum still received US $8--9 in royalty payments about every three months . </P> <P> In his senior year, Ostrum was involved in film class and, at the interest of one of his instructors, looked back into theatre and acting . After auditioning for, but not landing, several roles (including Equus on Broadway), Ostrum decided not to pursue it further . After putting his short film career behind him, Ostrum declined reporters and interviews, preferring not to speak on the subject; "I wanted people to judge me on who I was, not what I'd done". For some time, Ostrum even lied and told people that his brother, and not he, had starred in the film . It took Ostrum years after moving to Lowville before he told anybody there about his one - time stardom; even his wife Loretta did not know about his role until he warned her about it just before she met his mother . </P> <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>

Who played charlie and the chocolate factory 1971