Willy Wonka
| Willy Wonka | |
|---|---|
| Charlie and the Chocolate Factory character | |
Willy Wonka from the front cover of the first US edition | |
| First appearance | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) |
| Created by | Roald Dahl |
| Portrayed by | Other:
|
| Voiced by | |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Willy Wonka |
| Occupation | Chocolatier Inventor Magician |
| Family | Wilbur Wonka (father; 2005 film) Mamma (mother; 2023 film) |
| Children | Charlie Bucket (legal heir) |
Willy Wonka is a fictional character appearing in British author Roald Dahl's 1964 children's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its 1972 sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator. He is the eccentric founder and proprietor of the Wonka Chocolate Factory.
Wonka has been depicted in film several times. In 1971, Willy Wonka was portrayed by Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Wilder's portrayal in the film is considered widely beloved and one of his greatest roles. Johnny Depp played the character in 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory which polarized critics and audiences. In 2023, Timothée Chalamet portrayed the character in a standalone film that tells his origin story titled Wonka. Chalamet's performance was both praised and criticized. Wilder, Depp, and Chalamet all received Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical for their performances.