Loretta Ostrum is the wife of former American child actor Peter Ostrum. Peter is also a veterinarian, and as of 2021, he practiced in Glenfield, New York. She was born and raised on a dairy farm in Southern Lewis County, and she developed something for animals and nature. Loretta’s exact date of birth is known, but she is in her 60s.
Regarding her personal life, Loretta Ostrum married Peter Ostrum in the late 1980s, and they were blessed with two children, Leif and Helenka Ostrum. While in high school, Loretta’s son Leif was active in drama and was often involved in the school’s productions.
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Career
Loretta Ostrum worked in elementary education and as a social worker before pursuing her passion. She loved art and decided to put it into practice; Loretta started painting local stories, enrolled in workshops, and was always in exhibitions to showcase her work.
The Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust sponsored Loretta Ostrum, and one of the arts she did was titled Celebrating Family Farms of the Tug Hill. It described the various family farms in the counties of Jefferson and Lewis. Loretta’s other painting is The Venerable Folks of Tug Hill.
Loretta’s Husband’s Veterinary Career
As a teenager, Peter Ostrum loved horses since he cared for one his family had bought. After failing to make it in acting, he decided to do veterinary medicine. On completing his college education, Ostrum started practicing in New York. Loretta’s husband currently works in Lowville and tends to cows and horses; he has also partnered with Dairy Health & Management Services.
Her Husband As a Child Actor
While in grade school, Loretta’s husband used to perform at the Cleveland Play House Children’s theater. Peter was performing when talent scouts noticed him; they were looking for someone to play the role of Charlie Bucket in the fantasy film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
The talent scouts recorded and took pictures of Peter Ostrum then he was called for a screen test. Months later, Loretta’s husband was in Munich, German, for the film’s shooting. It was a great experience for him as a young lad. After filming Willy Wanka, Ostrum was offered a contract by producer David Lloyd Wolper which he declined.
Loretta Ostrum’s husband appeared in just one film, and he regrets why he never pursued acting as a professional career; he misses acting.
Life After Willy Wonka
After starring in the film Willy Wonka and returning to school, Peter tried to audition for acting roles but did not get one. He gave up on acting and found he had to accept that he had failed to capitalize on his stardom in her only film and make a career out of it. He often lied to people that his brother appeared on Willy Wonka and not him.
Peter never spoke about his one-time role; even Loretta Ostrum was in the dark until when they were both visiting his mother. Loretta’s husband has been talking to students of Lowville Academy at least every year about his Willy Wonka experience.