Willy Wonka

Willy Wonka
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory character
Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
First appearance	Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964)
Created by	Roald Dahl
Portrayed by	Gene Wilder (1971) Johnny Depp (2005) Timothée Chalamet (2023) Other: Blair Dunlop (young; 2005) Douglas Hodge (2013) Christian Borle (2017) Colin O'Brien (young; 2023)
Voiced by	Jess Harnell (commercials) James Arnold Taylor (2005 video game) J. P. Karliak (Tom and Jerry: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory)
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, its 1972 sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator and several films based on those books. He is the eccentric founder and proprietor of the Wonka Chocolate Factory.^[1]

Wonka has been portrayed in film multiple 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's portrayal of the character in 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory 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 for his singing, while some considered him miscast.^[2] Wilder, Depp, and Chalamet all received Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical for their performances.