Denise Nickerson

Biography

Denise Nickerson was an American actress who started out as a child performer and became best known for playing Violet Beauregarde in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). Born in New York City and partly raised in Miami, she began in commercials and on stage, including a production of Peter Pan at Miami's Coconut Grove Playhouse. Her career took off in 1968 with a role on the daytime soap opera Dark Shadows, where she took the recurring parts of Amy Jennings, Nora Collins, and Amy Collins through 1970. She went on to play Allison on The Electric Company from 1972 to 1973 and created the part of Liza Walton on Search for Tomorrow. Her other films included Smile (1975) and Zero to Sixty (1978). She also appeared in the television movie The Neon Ceiling and guest-starred on The Brady Bunch. Nickerson later left acting and worked as a receptionist and office manager.

62years old at death

Born April 1, 1957New York City
Died July 10, 2019Aurora
Star sign: AriesThe sign runs March 21 to April 19
Denise Marie Nickerson (birth name)

Movie Career

Films: 3
Career span: 7 years1971 to 1978

Every film, newest first

1978Zero to SixtyIMDb rating 5.1
1975SmileIMDb rating 7.1
1971Willy Wonka & the Chocolate FactoryIMDb rating 7.8

Genres

Did you know?!

First role
Nickerson was discovered at age four at a fashion show by Broadway producer Zev Buffman of the Neighborhood Playhouse drama school, which led to her stage work.
Big break
In 1968 Nickerson landed her big break, joining ABC Daytime's Dark Shadows. She played the recurring parts of Amy Jennings, Nora Collins and Amy Collins from 1968 to 1970.
A role that slipped away
Nickerson tried out for the part of Regan MacNeil in The Exorcist, but the role went to Linda Blair instead.