Rusty Goffe recalls the filthy chocolate river on 1971 Wonka set
Rusty Goffe, one of only two surviving Oompa Loompas from the 1971 film, has returned to the role in Netflix reality show *Wonka’s The Golden Ticket*. He says the original chocolate river became filthy and smelly during filming, while the recreated river for the new series was pleasant, offering a behind-the-scenes contrast across 55 years.
The 77-year-old actor recalled that crew threw cigarette ends and old script pages into the original river before adding real sugar and cream, which soured under hot studio lights. The new show brings 12 pairs of contestants into a replica Wonka factory near Brisbane to compete for a £2.25 million prize. Gene Wilder’s voice, recreated with AI with his estate’s permission, narrates the series; Goffe describes hearing it again as “magical”, despite some viewers finding it creepy.
- Rusty Goffe has returned as an Oompa Loompa for Netflix.
- The original chocolate river was dirty water mixed with real cream and sugar.
- Gene Wilder’s AI-recreated voice narrates the new competition.
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Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is a 1971 film based on Roald Dahl’s children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It follows children visiting a sweet factory run by the mysterious Willy Wonka, where Oompa Loompas work and a river of chocolate runs through the factory.
Rusty Goffe played an Oompa Loompa in the film, alongside Gene Wilder as Wonka. The story has since inspired new screen versions and attractions, keeping its factory and sweets familiar to generations of viewers.
A new Netflix competition series uses a replica of Wonka’s factory, with contestants competing for a large cash prize. Its use of an AI recreation of Wilder’s voice has also drawn attention to how older performances can be brought into new productions.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Secret life of an Oompa Loompa! British actor, 77, who starred in 1971 film and new Netflix Wonka show reveals the original chocolate river was ‘filthy’, how he got so orange and what Gene Wilder was really like”.