![Denise Nickerson, ‘Willy Wonka’s Violet Beauregarde, Dies at 62](https://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2019/07/violet-beauregarde-grown-up.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Denise Nickerson, ‘Willy Wonka’s Violet Beauregarde, Dies at 62
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory fans — so, basically, everyone — love and revere Violet Beauregarde, the obnoxious gum-chewing girl who becomes the victim of one of Wonka’s crueler and more ironic twists. The scene where Violet turns violet (Violet) is rightfully famous as one of the highlights of the film:
Violet was beautifully played by child actress Denise Nickerson who, according to her family’s Facebook updates, passed away yesterday. Nickerson, who was only 62, suffered a stroke in 2018 and never fully recovered. In recent weeks she came down with pneumonia and was also experiencing seizures.
Nickerson’s most famous role was certainly Willy Wonka’s Violet, but she appeared in numerous films and television shows during her period as a working actor. Before Wonka she was a recurring cast member on the cult soap opera Dark Shadows; after its premiere in 1971 she joined the classic children’s educational series The Electric Company. She also appeared on episodes of The Brady Bunch and Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color. She retired from acting in 1978 when she turned 21.
Nickerson reunited with the cast of Willy Wonka a few times in recent years, appearing at screenings and on television. As the years have gone on, the film’s reputation has grown, and people now recognize it as one of the premiere kids movies of all time. And Nickerson was brilliant as Violent. She shined brightly, in a particularly memorable shade of mauve.
Gallery — The Best Films of the Year So Far:
More From Y95 Country
![John Travolta Pays Tribute to Kirstie Alley](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/12/attachment-travolta-on-alley.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Kirstie Alley, ‘Cheers’ Star, Dies at 71](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/12/attachment-GettyImages-1413270731.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Jason David Frank, ‘Power Rangers’ Star, Dies at 49](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/11/attachment-GettyImages-11561598281.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Jules Bass, Producer of Classics ‘Frosty’ and ‘Rudolph’, Dies at 87](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/10/attachment-Frosty-the-snowman-jules-bass.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Robbie Coltrane, Actor and ‘Harry Potter’ Star, Dies at 72](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2017/11/Hagrid-Harry-Potter.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Actors Who Died in 2022](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/10/attachment-attachment-GettyImages-501323910.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gene LeBell, Inspiration For Brad Pitt’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ Character, Dies at 89](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2019/07/once-upon-a-time-in-hollywood-2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Paul Sorvino, ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Law & Order’ Star, Dies at 83](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/07/attachment-GettyImages-2468375.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Philip Baker Hall, Beloved Character Actor, Dies at 90](http://townsquare.media/site/442/files/2022/06/attachment-GettyImages-90811276.jpg?w=980&q=75)