Peter Ostrum – Biography, Age, Net Worth, Children, Family

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The name Peter Ostrum is certainly not one that could be considered popular among the hundreds and thousands of notable Hollywood names, but his connection to the industry is significant. Peter Ostrum played Charlie Bucket in the classic film, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. It is a notable role that would have given him a platform to pursue a full-fledged career in the industry, but the world is a complicated place.

Often times, especially based on how we see Hollywood, the glamour and wealth attached to the profession, it is the dream job of many. Some get their chance to take a peek into that world, to experience it and taste the desires of billions in the world, but then decide they don’t want it. It is a mystery that defines the complexity of our world. Learn more about Peter Ostrum’s life and his unique choice below.

Peter Ostrum’s Biography (Age)

On the surface, for a veterinarian who doesn’t have a reality show on any of the popular nature channels, Peter Ostrum is one of the most popular veterinarians in the world, although it is not for his love and treatment of animals. When he was a child, he got a unique opportunity to star in a film that would go on to become one of the classic films in the Hollywood industry, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Born on the 1st of November, 1957 to Dean Gardner Ostrum and Sarepta Mabel Ostrum in Dallas, Texas, Peter Ostrum was not a child actor who got lucky to be cast in the iconic film, he was a child who got lucky to have an experience millions of people desired.

Born as the youngest child of his parents, he was getting raised in Cleveland, Ohio when he was discovered by talent scouts. He was in the middle of a stage production at the Cleveland Play House children’s theatre, performing in a local play as most local children when he was found by the scouts as part of a nationwide search for the child actor to play the character, Charlie Bucket. A few Polaroid pictures, a reading from the Willy Wonka novel and a screen test in New York later and Peter was the actor to play Charlie Bucket.

Peter Ostrum’s solitary film role was a full experience of the profession for him. From traveling to another country to having set tutors, and the very process of filming itself, it is a memory that has not left Peter Ostrum till this day. His decision to walk away from a life in the profession was not because he never had other opportunities to grow in the industry.

In fact, at the completion of the five months filming of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Peter Ostrum was offered a three-film contract by David L. Wolper, an offer he turned down because he wanted the choice of his career and film roles to be his, which eventually led to him walking away. His attachment to Hollywood isn’t completely severed, however. He still continues to receive royalty payments of $8 every 3 months for starring in the film. He was listed in VH1’s list of 100 Greatest Kid Stars.

As an adult, Peter Ostrum pursued a career in veterinary medicine. He fell in love with the profession while he was on the set of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, getting fascinated by the joy of the men who took care of the horses on the film set. The actor studied veterinary medicine at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and earned a doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. He practices at the Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Lowville, New York, focusing primarily on horses and cows.

 

Net Worth

Peter Ostrum still gets royalty cheques of $8-9 every three months since the film’s release but it is his work as a veterinarian and the appearance and commercial gigs he has gotten for his role as Charlie Bucket that has fed his sizeable net worth. Peter Ostrum is currently believed to be worth about $500,000.

Family – Is He Married? Children

Peter Ostrum, since he walked away from the brink of a possible long career in Hollywood has led a life as a regular human being. Getting his position as a veterinarian and a family. He married Loretta M. Lepkowski in 1987 and the couple have been able to raise two children – Helenka and Leif. Leif, just like his father has developed an affinity for acting at a young age, acting in several South Lewis Central School musicals and if he will go all the way unlike his father, is left to see.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.