Rusty Goffe, an actor who played an Oompa Loompa in the 1971 film "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," has retired from acting after making a final appearance in the role for Netflix's new competition series, "Wonka's The Golden Ticket." Goffe, 77, reprised his iconic part, donning a green wig and overalls, for the show which was filmed in Brisbane, Australia.
"I started on Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and now Wonka's The Golden Ticket is my swan song. I've just ended my career on Willy Wonka. Isn't that wonderful?" Goffe stated.
Goffe's career began with the Gene Wilder-led film, and he went on to appear in other notable productions such as "Star Wars," the "Harry Potter" films, and "Doctor Who."
The 1971 film was the first cinematic adaptation of Roald Dahl's 1964 novel "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." The story follows Charlie Bucket, who, along with four other children, wins a golden ticket to tour the eccentric Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. The original film, largely shot in Munich, Germany, featured 10 actors of restricted growth portraying the Oompa Loompas.
Netflix acquired the rights to Dahl's book collection in 2021. The new series features 12 pairs of contestants competing for a cash prize within a factory setting inspired by the original film. Previous adaptations include Tim Burton's 2005 version starring Johnny Depp and Paul King's 2023 origin story with Timothée Chalamet.
Goffe described the experience of returning to the "Wonka" universe over 50 years later as surreal. He noted several improvements in production compared to the 1971 filming, including handmade, fitted wigs, makeup that washed off easily, more comfortable shoes, and a cleaner chocolate river.
"Wonka's The Golden Ticket" also features the voice of Gene Wilder, the original Willy Wonka, which was recreated using artificial intelligence. While the use of AI has drawn some criticism, producers received consent from Wilder's estate and approval from his widow, Karen B. Wilder. Goffe found hearing Wilder's voice on set to be a "magical" experience, remarking, "It was perfect, because he is Willy Wonka, he really is."
Many of the Oompa Loompas in the new series were new to the production, with a diverse cast of performers. Among them was Goffe's son, Ben Goffe, who also appeared in the show. Rusty expressed immense pride in working alongside his son, calling it an emotional moment.
Despite a career spanning numerous iconic films, Goffe considers his time on "Willy Wonka" to be the most significant part of his career. He continues to attend fan conventions for the original film.
"Wonka's The Golden Ticket" is set to premiere on Netflix this week, with its two-part finale scheduled for September 30.
