Denise Nickerson Of 'Willy Wonka' Fame Dies
Former child actress Denise Nickerson died Wednesday after she was taken off life support following a seizure, according to reports. She was 62.
She famously played Violet Beauregarde, the Golden Ticket recipient who chewed on forbidden gum and turned into a blueberry in the 1971 film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.”
Nickerson, who was born in New York City, worked on the vampire soap opera “Dark Shadows” from 1968 to 1970, and she also appeared in “The Electric Company,” “Search for Tomorrow” and the film “Zero to Sixty.” She left acting in 1978 to become a nurse.
Nickerson had a severe stroke in 2018. She is survived by a son.
Tributes, including one from “Willy Wonka” castmate Julie Dawn Cole, who played Veruca Salt, poured in:
So very sorry to say that my dear friend and Wonka sister, Denise Nickerson, has gone💔
— Julie Dawn Cole (@realverucasalt) July 11, 2019
Thanks for making making quite the impact on a lot of us Denise Nickerson. You brought Violet to life in Willy Wonka, you will be missed. pic.twitter.com/ODksebqx6b
— Oz (@ozkangaroo) July 11, 2019
Here is a clip of #DeniseNickerson on The Electric Company and her band ‘The Short Circus’ doing “The Sweet Sweet Sway” R.I.P. Denise pic.twitter.com/3dOjh3TQe8
— Shae Roberts 🌊 (@Shaedreams) July 11, 2019
RIP #DeniseNickerson and thank you for your indelible iconic performance as Violet Beauregarde. pic.twitter.com/h54crWJ1TG
— Eric Tuchman (@erictuchman) July 11, 2019
RIP Denise Nickerson. Not the biggest name in showbiz, but in our house (where 'Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory' is probably watched 2 or 3 times a month) she's a star.
"I'm right back on gum. I chew it all day, except at mealtimes when I stick it behind my ear" pic.twitter.com/8KHMtkSq63— Dave Sinclair (@DaveSinners) July 11, 2019
Such sad news. Violet Beauregarde was my favorite Wonka kid. #ripdenisenickerson https://t.co/YrizZ8xNYg
— Jen McCatLady (@itsjennamc) July 11, 2019
I am deeply saddened to hear of Denise Nickerson’s passing. My heart goes out to her family and friends. As a major fan of #VioletBeauregarde, I will be forever honored to have paid this tribute to her and to hear from her cast mates that she absolutely loved it. #willywonka pic.twitter.com/nukd99PMD2
— Lucia Briones (@Lucybri83) July 11, 2019
Deeply saddened to hear that willy wonka Violet Beauregarde star had passed away Rip Denise I'll miss you loads ❤️❤️😘😘#DeniseNickerson #WillyWonka pic.twitter.com/hKMSIEhPAS
— Allahrakhi (@AllahrakhiDivya) July 11, 2019
I feel terrible about Denise Nickerson. I met her and quite a few others from the cast of the original “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” some years ago at Austin Comic Con. We had a great conversation. May she Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/r4tF0rTKnr
— Loud Brow (@jasonhbrow) July 11, 2019
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