Denise Nickerson
Forever remembered as the gum-chewing Violet who turned into a blueberry in 'Willy Wonka', she left acting behind for a quiet life far from Hollywood.
1957–2019 (age 62)·American actress·Birthday: April 1·Baby Boomers
Biography
Denise Nickerson stepped into pop culture immortality at thirteen, embodying the brash, gum-obsessed Violet Beauregarde in 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'. Her transformation into a giant blueberry became one of the film's most iconic scenes. The role launched her into a steady stream of television work, including a memorable stint on the educational series 'The Electric Company' and a run on the gothic soap opera 'Dark Shadows'. Yet, the glare of the industry lost its appeal. In her early twenties, she made a decisive and permanent exit from acting, choosing the stability of office work in Colorado. Though she retreated from the screen, her one major film role ensured generations of fans would know her name and her character's colorful fate.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Denise was born in 1957, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Denise Was Born
The biggest hits of 1957
#1 Movie
The Bridge on the River Kwai
Best Picture
The Bridge on the River Kwai
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
Denise's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1957Born
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1962Started school
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1970Became a teenager
First Earth Day; The Beatles break up
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $17,000Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Bridge over Troubled Water" — Simon & GarfunkelBest Picture: Patton
1973Could drive
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1975Could vote
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1978Turned 21
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1987Turned 30
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1997Turned 40
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2007Turned 50
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 60
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2019Died at 62
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the iconic role of Violet Beauregarde in the classic 1971 film 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'.
- Played the character Allison on the popular children's educational TV series 'The Electric Company'.
- Had a recurring role on the cult gothic soap opera 'Dark Shadows' as Amy Jennings and other characters.
- Appeared in numerous television commercials and guest-starred on shows like 'The Brady Bunch' and 'Search for Tomorrow'.
Did You Know?
She was originally considered for the role of Charlie's mother in 'Willy Wonka' before being cast as Violet.
After leaving acting, she worked for many years as a receptionist and office manager for a cardiology practice in Denver.
She was an avid fan of the soap opera 'General Hospital' and was friends with several cast members.
In 2018, she suffered a stroke and was placed in a medically induced coma; she passed away the following year.
“Playing Violet taught me that sometimes the most memorable part is the transformation.”
