Paris Themmen, the actor who portrayed the television-obsessed Mike Teavee in the 1971 film "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," was recently seen in Los Angeles. Now 67, Themmen has largely kept a low profile since his days as a child star.
IMAGE2
Last week, Themmen was observed shopping for plants in the city. He was dressed casually in a dark T-shirt, green sweatpants, and black sneakers, topped with a beige ball cap. The actor, originally from Boston, was photographed with a cream and navy tote bag and was seen with a tattoo on his inner right arm.
IMAGE3
IMAGE4
IMAGE5
While Themmen has maintained a relatively private life, he made a notable television appearance in 2018 when he competed on "Jeopardy!". At the time, he introduced himself as an entrepreneur and backpacker from North Hollywood, California, and did not initially reveal his acting past. However, fans familiar with the 1971 film recognized him, leading to widespread social media commentary after the episode aired.
IMAGE6
Themmen's last major acting role was a guest appearance as a "fawning fan" in "Star Trek: Voyager" in 2000. He also had a role in the 1999 television movie "Screenplay" and provided a voice-over for the 1994 mini-series "Macross Plus."
IMAGE7
"Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," based on Roald Dahl's 1964 book, followed the journey of children who won a golden ticket to tour Willy Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory. Themmen, who was 11 at the time of filming, recalled the production experience in Munich, noting the unusual shipment of American chocolate bars to the set. He also mentioned enjoying a taffy-based confection that simulated the movie's three-course chewing gum.
Beyond his acting past, Themmen has pursued various ventures. He founded Access International, a travel service for backpackers in Europe, in his early twenties. Currently, he signs autographs at movie conventions, runs a photography business, and makes occasional appearances in commercials and on television. He resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Nikki Grillos, whom he has been married to for nine years.