Denise Nickerson — who famously blew up like a blueberry as gum-chewing Violet Beauregarde in “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” — is still struggling after suffering a massive stroke. The National ENQUIRER was first to report on the tragic health crisis for the beloved child star, with a close friend reporting that 61-year-old Denise was “gravely ill” after being hospitalized on June 23. Now her son Josh has revealed to RADAR Online that Denise is still “not fully cognizant,” with the family “not sure” when she’ll be allowed to leave the hospital. Even then, Josh is expecting that Denise will require around-the-clock care as he makes plans for his mother to come back home to the Colorado apartment where she’s lived with her son and daughter-in-law…
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Photo credit: RADAR Online
But first, said Josh, "doctors are saying that if she makes it out of this, she'll be discharged to a rehabilitation center." He provided
photos of his struggling mother to RADAR, saying: "She's able to do some light movement, but, still, her right side is immobile. We're taking this extremely hard and want her to get better."
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Photo credit: Files/RADAROnline
Denise got her start in the gothic '60s soap opera
"Dark Shadows," and then found lasting fame as one of the children taking the tour of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory alongside
Gene Wilder in the 1971 classic. She was also a regular on the "Electric Company" TV series, and was among the many actresses considered for the role of possessed child Regan in 1973's
"The Exorcist."3 of 3
Photo credit: Getty Images
After leaving show business at the end of the '70s, Denise worked as an account — and has recently been a regular at fan conventions. Family members have started a Facebook support page that also updates fans on her ongoing medical condition. The family is also offering autographed merchandise in exchange for donations.
But first, said Josh, "doctors are saying that if she makes it out of this, she'll be discharged to a rehabilitation center." He provided
photos of his struggling mother to RADAR, saying: "She's able to do some light movement, but, still, her right side is immobile. We're taking this extremely hard and want her to get better."
Photo credit: RADAR Online
Denise got her start in the gothic '60s soap opera
"Dark Shadows," and then found lasting fame as one of the children taking the tour of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory alongside
Gene Wilder in the 1971 classic. She was also a regular on the "Electric Company" TV series, and was among the many actresses considered for the role of possessed child Regan in 1973's
"The Exorcist."Photo credit: Files/RADAROnline
After leaving show business at the end of the '70s, Denise worked as an account — and has recently been a regular at fan conventions. Family members have started a Facebook support page that also updates fans on her ongoing medical condition. The family is also offering autographed merchandise in exchange for donations.
Photo credit: Getty Images
