Peter Ostrum

A former actor whose career catapulted as a child, Peter Ostrum's only role was playing Charlie Bucket in 1971's "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory." Ostrum was discovered by talent scouts as a sixth grader acting in a local play in Cleveland. He auditioned and passed a successful screen test in New York. After capturing the lead role as Charlie Bucket, the young Ostrum filmed the blockbuster in Germany for five months. Movie executives offered Ostrum a three-film contract, but the reclusive actor declined the offer and settled back to a normal childhood. As a young adult, Ostrum tried entering the industry by auditioning for broadway plays, but failed to secure any roles. Ostrum shunned the spotlight and pursued his interest in veterinary medicine and graduated from Cornell University with a doctorate in 1984. His previous life as a child actor has been discussed in numerous television specials, such as VH1's "100 Greatest Kid Stars." Ostrum's prosperous career as a veterinarian was featured in the short documentary series "Veterinarians On Call." Although he generally declined to discuss his short-lived acting career with the media, Ostrum made a appearance in a Willy Wonka-themed challenge of "Top Chef: Just Desserts" as a guest judge.