Terrible news today.

Former actress and child star Denise Nickerson has suffered a massive stroke and is currently in ICU. According to her friend and co-star, Sharon Lentz, Mrs. Nickerson isn’t doing well and could really use our thoughts and prayers. Let’s give her something nice to wake up to!

Denise Nickerson is known to horror fans for playing the role of Amy Collins/Jennigs in “Dark Shadows” from 1968 to 1970. She is most known to the world, though, for her supporting role as Violet Beauregarde in iconic hit Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971). Denise left the entertainment industry behind in 1978 to pursue other interests and start a family.

Here’s hoping that Denise pulls through and can take her life back. I certainly wouldn’t want to lose another member of our horror family in 2018, especially considering – by all accounts – that Denise has been absolutely lovely to her fans at various conventions.