‘Willy Wonka’ Star Denise Nickerson Taken Off Life Support

Former child star Denise Nickerson, 62, has been taken off life support. Her family announced on Wednesday that they had chosen to stop Denise’s treatment after she suffered a stroke last year that caused severe damage to her body.

“They just took off all the equipment. None of it was helping, but making her only more uncomfortable,” Josh, Nickerson’s son, wrote on a Facebook page, “We’re telling her it’s okay to let go.”

In earlier posts, Nickerson’s family revealed that the massive seizure that she suffered was caused by pneumonia and that it had caused her to stop exhaling carbon dioxide from her body. Furthermore, they stated that her lungs and brain activity are too weak. She has too much CO2 increasing in her blood and is in an almost coma-like state.

Denise’s son explained that their decision to remove her from life support was so when the time comes, she would have a comfortable passing.

Denise was just 13 years old when she got her big break in the classic 1971 film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.” She famously played Violet Beauregarde, the third of the five children who got the chance to enter Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Her character was known for turning into a gigantic round blueberry after chewing a gum that was not yet ready for consumption.

Despite having fame and success after her role in the 1971 film and from other shows and movies in the ‘60s and ‘70s, she unfortunately did not leave any inheritance behind. Her family is begging her fans for help in funding her funeral.

“We cannot afford to pay for death expenses. Although she had the fame and notoriety, there is no inheritance. No life insurance. No end of life nest egg. Just our income which isn't even enough,” Nickerson’s family wrote in a GoFundMe page that Josh set up to help with the funeral costs.

Moreover, Denise’s family explained that it was her wish to be cremated and her ashes be made into a piece of glass art.

Jasmine, Josh’s wife, is not working because she’s been taking care of the actress and trying to apply for jobs online even though she’s sick and pregnant. Josh, on the other hand, has missing work from his two jobs to be at the hospital.

"We hate to ask but we desperately need help. We don't need flowers and or cards. We just need some peace of mind. If you can help us, we would be so very grateful."