British actor Rusty Goffe has returned to the world of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, more than five decades after appearing as one of the original Oompa Loompas in the beloved 1971 film.
Now 77, Goffe is among only two surviving members of the original Oompa Loompa cast, alongside 88-year-old Albert Wilkinson. He has joined Netflix’s reality competition Wonka: The Golden Ticket, helping introduce a new generation of contestants to a recreation of the famous chocolate factory.
The programme features 12 pairs competing for a £2.25 million prize designed to provide long-term financial security. Filmed on an 88,000-square-foot set near Brisbane, Australia, the series brings Roald Dahl’s fictional world to life with modern production technology.
For Goffe, returning to the factory brought back memories of the film that launched his acting career in 1971, when he was just 22 and had never appeared in a movie before.
The Chocolate River Smells Much Better This Time
One of the biggest differences Goffe noticed was the condition of the famous chocolate river.
In the original production, the river was made using real cream and sugar, but the mixture became unpleasant after sitting beneath hot studio lights. Goffe recalled that crew members also threw cigarette ends and pieces of old scripts into the water.
The result, he explained, was a terrible smell that developed after several days of filming.
The Netflix production offered a very different experience, with Goffe describing the recreated chocolate river as pleasant rather than revolting.
The contrast highlights how far filmmaking techniques have advanced since the original movie, which was produced on a comparatively modest budget of around £2.2 million.
AI Brings Gene Wilder’s Voice Back to the Wonka Universe
Another major feature of the Netflix series is the use of artificial intelligence to recreate the voice of Gene Wilder, who played Willy Wonka in the 1971 film.
Wilder died in 2016 at the age of 83, but his voice has been recreated for the new programme with permission from his estate.
Some viewers have described the computer-generated narration as unsettling, raising questions about how familiar performances should be recreated using AI technology.
Goffe, however, had a more emotional reaction when he heard Wilder’s voice again.
The actor joked that he initially felt as though Wilder had returned in person. Rather than finding the experience disturbing, he described it as magical.
For Goffe, the moment also brought back memories of the original cast, including Wilder and Roy Kinnear, who played Veruca Salt’s father.
He said putting on the updated Oompa Loompa costume made him feel as though the original team was present, watching over the new production and welcoming the next generation into the Wonka universe.
Gene Wilder Left a Lasting Impression on Goffe
Goffe remembers Wilder as a gentle but focused performer who knew exactly what he wanted from a scene.
The actor described his former co-star as funny and serious in equal measure, praising the way he worked with others on set.
Wilder’s portrayal of the eccentric chocolate maker became the role for which he was best known, helping establish the original film as a much-loved adaptation of Dahl’s story.
Goffe was still a newcomer to the film industry when he joined the production in Munich in 1970. He said he relied on the director and the more experienced performers around him to learn his role.
The experience proved transformative. Although his career later included appearances in major productions such as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, Willow and five Harry Potter films, Goffe maintains that nothing has surpassed his involvement in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
He has also made clear that he is not a fan of Tim Burton’s 2005 adaptation starring Johnny Depp, which featured a single Oompa Loompa character rather than the group seen in the original film.
Netflix Gives the Oompa Loompas a Modern Makeover
The new series has also reimagined the appearance of Wonka’s workforce.
The 1971 film featured ten Oompa Loompas, all played by actors of short stature. The Netflix production has nine performers in its new line-up, with a more diverse range of heights and appearances.
Among them is Australian actor Mitchell Marion, who stands 6ft 8in tall and has been described as the tallest Oompa Loompa.
Goffe welcomed the decision to broaden the casting, saying the new approach demonstrated that anyone could take on the role with the right green wig and orange makeup.
The updated costumes have also addressed some of the practical difficulties experienced by the original performers.
In 1971, Goffe recalled, makeup artist Klaus repeatedly instructed the actors to apply more orange powder throughout the day. Removing the makeup at the end of filming could require considerable effort.
The wigs have also improved, with Goffe saying the new versions fitted far better than the ones supplied to the original cast.
He was less enthusiastic about the footwear, however, complaining that the heavier boots used in the new production were less comfortable for dancing than the flat ballet shoes worn decades earlier.
Rusty Goffe’s Son Joins Him in the New Production
The return to Wonka’s factory was also a family experience for Goffe, whose 33-year-old son Ben joined him in the Netflix production.
Ben, like his father and brother Jack, has pursued a career in acting, appearing in stage productions, musicals and films.
The opportunity arose after Ben’s agent received an enquiry about Rusty’s involvement in the series. Netflix subsequently invited Ben to participate as well.
The father-and-son duo spent six weeks filming on Australia’s Gold Coast last autumn, with a demanding schedule that left them only two days of respite during the production period.
Ben said the contestants were kept separate from the performers playing Oompa Loompas, with strict instructions not to speak to them. The production team wanted participants to remain immersed in the fictional world of the chocolate factory, and the cast were required to keep details of the show confidential.
Outside the Netflix production, Ben is preparing to join the cast of Barnum, a musical about showman P. T. Barnum. He is also scheduled to play Buttons in a Christmas pantomime in Dartford.
Family Theatre Roots Continue to Shape Ben’s Career
Ben’s career in entertainment began at an early age. He attended his parents’ theatre school from the age of three, while his mother, Sarah, worked as a dance teacher before becoming an international dance examiner.
Despite gaining professional experience at respected institutions such as the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, Ben said his parents continue to offer him advice.
His mother still points out choreography mistakes, while his father suggests changes to his delivery of lines.
Ben admitted that their guidance is usually correct, saying he benefits from their experience even as he builds his own career.
The family’s involvement in theatre and screen work has therefore extended beyond Rusty’s famous role in the original Wonka film.
Goffe Insists He Has Not Retired
Despite the physical demands of filming the Netflix series, Goffe remains eager to continue acting.
The veteran performer has no intention of treating Wonka: The Golden Ticket as his final appearance as an Oompa Loompa, and he has openly expressed interest in returning if another opportunity arises.
His enthusiasm also extends to the possibility of a second season, with both father and son keen to revisit the experience.
More than 55 years after his first appearance in the chocolate factory, Goffe has once again become part of Wonka’s world, connecting the original film with a new generation of viewers.
Wonka: The Golden Ticket is available to watch on Netflix.
