Overview (3)

Born November 1, 1957 in Dallas, Texas, USA Birth Name Peter Gardner Ostrum Nickname Pete

Mini Bio (1)

Peter Ostrum was born on November 1, 1957 in Dallas, Texas, USA as Peter Gardner Ostrum. He has been married to Loretta Lepkowski since 1987. They have two children.



Spouse (1)

Loretta Lepkowski (1987 - present) ( 2 children)

Trivia (14)

Has two children: Helenka Ostrum and Leif Ostrum.





Charlie und die Schokoladenfabrik (1971) was his only film appearance. He later went on to become a veterinarian.



Was offered a three-picture contract after Charlie und die Schokoladenfabrik (1971), which he turned down.

As of 2003, was a veterinarian for large farm animals (cows and horses) in Glenfield, NY.



In 2001 he in first place among males age 40-49 at the Lake Placid Half Marathon .



Iss the youngest of four children by over a decade.



Although born in Dallas (TX), he was raised largely in the Cleveland (OH) area, where he first acted in local children's theatre productions.



Attended North Hunterdon Regional High School in Annandale, NJ.



Resided in three different cities as a child: Dallas, TX; Cleveland, OH; and Newark, NJ.





Resided in Munich, Germany, for more than six months while filming Charlie und die Schokoladenfabrik (1971).

In 1984 received his doctorate from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.



Visits public schools in his community to talk about his experiences, what it's like to be a veterinarian, and how one's life changes with the decisions one makes.



Personal Quotes (8)



When the picture [ Charlie und die Schokoladenfabrik (1971)] was over, it was like it had never happened. I returned to school and by the time it was in theaters I'd changed a lot so I wasn't even recognized much. So when I was, it was always a nice experience because people like 'Charlie'. He's a nice kid. My parents told me to look on it as an experience, which is what I did. My mom and dad were not at all stage parents. They made sure I had a clear choice about what I did for a living. I'm really grateful to them because being a veterinarian is very gratifying.



[on making Charlie und die Schokoladenfabrik (1971)] The entire experience was better than enjoyable. It was really interesting. But I had a chance to see what everyone's job entailed and I knew I didn't want to do any of those things for a living. Including being stars like Gene Wilder and Jack Albertson . When it was over, I was anxious to become just another kid again.



[on how he almost returned to performing] When I made Charlie und die Schokoladenfabrik (1971), acting was something that interested me. It still does, but not as a profession. The only time I ever considered it again was when I heard they were holding auditions to replace Peter Firth in "Equus" on Broadway. My thinking was that, perhaps I should at least present myself. Getting the part would have been like lightning striking twice, but I didn't get it. So I continued in school with the same majors--animal husbandry and veterinary medicine.

Do I regret turning down the movie offer? I don't think so. I love the job I am doing right now. Granted it is about as far away from Hollywood as you can get, but I have a feeling of self-satisfaction with it. I don't believe that I made the right choice or the wrong choice. I made a choice that fit what I wanted, and it shaped how life unfolded for me. Would have life been better if I took the movie offer? Maybe, but I'll never know, and it's something I'll never question.



He frightened me! We had become good friends during the filming, so I had no idea why he was yelling at me during the scene. The director then yells "cut" and Gene all of sudden smiles and was like "great job!" I was so confused on what just happened, but realized he and David (Seltzer) had prepared how to do the scene and didn't want to tell me so they could get a more genuine reaction. What can you say, it worked.





For a long time, I hated talking about the movie [ Charlie und die Schokoladenfabrik (1971)] . When anyone brought it up, I wanted to change the topic. I didn't want to be known as that former child actor. Now, since I've been out of the industry for so long and have grown up, I look on the whole experience with fond memories and see it as a wonderful part of my life. It's fun to reflect now with the maturity that I didn't have at one point when I was younger.



Back then when [ Charlie und die Schokoladenfabrik (1971)] came out, there was no red carpet premiere. I was in my hometown in Ohio and they had an opening there and I was the only one there. There was a little bit of fanfare but not much and the film died a quiet death. It had lukewarm reviews and people forgot about it. It wasn't until video ten years later that it resurfaced and it took on a life of its own.