'Willy Wonka' Actress <br />Denise Nickerson Dead at 62 Nickerson was best known for playing <br />bratty Violet Beauregarde in the 1971 film, <br />'Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.' Her family announced her death <br />on Facebook Wednesday night. Nickerson suffered <br />a stroke last year <br />and had been receiving <br />constant care at home. Her son, Josh, announced that she was <br />being taken off of life support on <br />Wednesday, which resulted in her death. Nickerson's first major <br />acting role was on the <br />TV show, 'Dark Shadows.' She appeared in a handful of other movies and series in the '70s. According to her family, Nickerson most recently worked as a receptionist at a doctor's office.
