Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory star Denise Nickerson has died aged 62.
The actress was best known for her role as Violet Beauregarde in the 1971 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book.
Nickerson’s family told US gossip publication TMZ that she died in hospital on Wednesday night after being taken off life support. She had been hospitalised earlier this week after suffering from pneumonia.
The child star’s acting debut came in US TV show Dark Shadows before landing the part of gum-chewing Violet opposite Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka at the age of 13.
She went on to have a string of TV roles in series such as Sesame Street spin-off series The Electric Company, Search for Tomorrow and The Brady Brunch.
Her career was put on hold in 1976 when she was hit by a car while crossing the road, leaving one leg in a full cast for eight months.
She quit acting at the age of 21 and pursued a career as a nurse.
In June 2018, Nickerson’s family revealed that she had suffered a stroke and was being treated in an intensive care unit.
She is survived by her son Josh.
