Denise Nickerson dies aged 62

Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory actress Denise Nickerson has died.
The former child star, who played Violet Beauregarde in the 1971 classic, was admitted to a hospital emergency room on Monday (08Jul19) after reportedly trying to overdose on prescription medication at home. Doctors diagnosed her with pneumonia, but the following day she had a massive seizure and was placed on life support.
On Tuesday, her family decided to stop treatment and have Nickerson removed from the respirator which had been helping her breathe, and they told TMZ.com she passed away on Wednesday evening at around 10.30 pm, Colorado time. She was 62 years old.
According to the website, “several visitors came by her room on Wednesday to share memories and say their final goodbyes”.
Prior to Nickerson’s death, her son Josh launched a GoFundMe campaign in a bid to raise funds to honour his mother’s final wishes to have her remains cremated and made into a piece of glass artwork.
The fundraiser had raised $10,785 (£8,530) as WENN went to press.
As well as starring in Willy Wonka, Nickerson also previously appeared in educational children’s show The Electric Company, soap operas Dark Shadows and Search for Tomorrow, and an episode of The Brady Bunch, before quitting acting in 1978 to become a nurse.