--- title: In Memory of Gene Wilder, By Veruca Salt Actress Julie Cole description: Julie Cole played Veruca Salt in the original 1971 movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory canonical: https://time.com/4472709/gene-wilder-dead-veruca-salt/ author: Julie Dawn Cole article:opinion: true article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-08-30T20:14:17.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:55:13.095Z article:section: Ideas og:title: In Memory of Gene Wilder, By Veruca Salt Actress Julie Cole og:description: Julie Cole played Veruca Salt in the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory og:url: https://time.com/4472709/gene-wilder-dead-veruca-salt/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbe294d44622bec39/6988a43df887dc2b29e973e4/ap_111018161518.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2100 og:image:height: 1181 og:image:alt: "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" 40th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition Jacques Torres Chocolates DVD Signing og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: In Memory of Gene Wilder, By Veruca Salt Actress Julie Cole twitter:description: Julie Cole played Veruca Salt in the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbe294d44622bec39/6988a43df887dc2b29e973e4/ap_111018161518.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # _Willy Wonka_’s Julie Dawn Cole Remembers Gene Wilder: 'The Camera Doesn't Lie About Warmth' > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=dd7d972f-0ed4-41ad-a7d3-9d3f2db45a31&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### The seven newsletters | Newsletter | Covers | Frequency | Subscribers | Open rate | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily | 540,000 | 45.6% | | Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) | 430,000 | 50.7% | | Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Daily | 240,000 | 54.1% | | Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Tuesday and Saturday (2x per week) | 40,000 | 31.7% | | D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Monday to Saturday (3x per week) | 85,000 | 37.0% | | Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) | 40,000 | 34.2% | | In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) | 25,000 | 28.6% | Source: TIME, August 2026. Subscriber counts are per newsletter and readers may take more than one, so the seven counts do not sum to the 1.1 million+ unique newsletter audience. ### Key data points | Metric | Value | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 | | Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 | | Highest open rate | 54.1%, Health Matters | TIME, August 2026 | | Largest list | 540,000, The Brief | TIME, August 2026 | | Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 | | US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 | | Publishing since | 1923 | TIME | ### TIME Newsletters: key statements * Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically. * TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read. * All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=dd7d972f-0ed4-41ad-a7d3-9d3f2db45a31&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). * The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself. * A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=dd7d972f-0ed4-41ad-a7d3-9d3f2db45a31&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1). ### FAQ #### What newsletters does TIME publish? TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (daily health), Worth Your Time (culture, twice weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, three times a week), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers. #### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to? It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters. #### Are TIME's newsletters free? Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent. #### Who writes TIME's newsletters? TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk. #### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter? Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement. ## Video: In Memoriam: Gene Wilder [Watch (HLS stream): In Memoriam: Gene Wilder](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/2K60n52t.m3u8) (0:47)  _Published 2016-08-29. Comedic actor Gene Wilder, best known for his roles in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" and "Blazing Saddles" has died at the age of 83._ by [Julie Dawn Cole](https://time.com/author/julie-dawn-cole/) ## Julie Dawn Cole Aug 30, 2016 8:14 PM UTC  Julie Cole, who portrayed spoiled child Veruca Salt in the 1971 film, "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory" poses at Jacques Torres Chocolates during an event promoting the 40th anniversary of the popular children's film Julie Cole, who portrayed spoiled child Veruca Salt in the 1971 film, "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory" poses at Jacques Torres Chocolates during an event promoting the 40th anniversary of the popular children's film Marion Curtis—ASSOCIATED PRESS by [Julie Dawn Cole](https://time.com/author/julie-dawn-cole/) ## Julie Dawn Cole Aug 30, 2016 8:14 PM UTC I was only 12 when I left the U.K. and moved to Germany for three months in 1970 to film my part as Veruca Salt in [_Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory_](http://entertainment.time.com/2011/06/16/top-10-movies-based-on-kids-books/). As the only child actor who was not accompanied by a relative, I was quite homesick—I’d never have allowed my own children to have gone off alone like that! But the wonderful cast and crew took care of me, and my family were amazed at all the kindness I received from [Gene Wilder](http://time.com/4471502/gene-wilder-death-blazing-saddles-young-frankenstein/) and the rest of the studio. Gene was sweet, patient and tolerant on set. He was a generous-spirited man, great fun, and spoke to the kids as adults. He never patronized us and we always vied for his attention; there was a constant race to get our schoolwork done so we could hang out with him. There was never any “Go away, don’t bother Mr Wilder,” stuff—he was always very amenable. > [](https://twitter.com/realverucasalt/status/770608721345015808) He didn’t sit in a trailer but had a chair, like the rest of us. Gene had no ego—which is pretty extraordinary for someone so talented. He had a dressing table somewhere, but I hardly ever saw him go there; I think he got changed in the morning and changed at night and that was it—the rest of the time he was on set. Gene wasn’t a method actor and did take direction, but he was always creating his own thing. We never quite knew what we were going to get from him, particularly the boat scene in the film, when he went slightly loopy— whether that was improvisation or not I’ll never know, but we certainly didn’t see it coming! Some fans expect Gene to have been a prankster on set, because he was such a funny guy, but he wasn’t. I think people are slightly disappointed when they hear that—they want him to be crazy like the parts he plays, but he was just a guy sitting in the corner watching things go along with a cup of coffee in his hand and just joining in, very much part of the ensemble and not the star. However, I do remember him taking the mickey when I had to do my, “Who ever heard of a snozzberry?” line. He knew I couldn’t put my tongue back in my mouth because they’d painted it with red food coloring and powder, so he’d do things to try and make me laugh which was funny—and annoying! > [](https://twitter.com/HitFix/status/770409504349548545) The camera doesn’t lie about warmth. Gene was extremely kind, and I don’t think all the chemistry in the film would have come across if he wasn’t. That scene at the end of the movie, when he gives Charlie Bucket a hug and says “My boy”—that sums him up to me. On my thirteenth birthday, in 1971, he arranged for color stills—which were very rare—to be taken and gave me a set of them as my present. It was a lovely gesture, and I still have them all. I filmed my favorite scene that same day—when I finally get my comeuppance and go down the garbage shoot. Everyone sang happy birthday before shoving me down it. None of us realized at the time how big the film would be, that three or four generations of a family would sit and watch and love it 45 years later. I was only 12—when you’re 12, a long time away is the end of term. Back then, movies came out and they lasted for a few weeks, then disappeared, but with the advent of DVDs and cable TV, the film became big again in the late 80s. I still get recognized—it’s bizarre! > [](https://twitter.com/realverucasalt/status/770353225610457088) In Gene’s latter years, he became a private person—quite shy. He did a signing not that long ago and sent a message to all of us kids, sending his love. We were happy to hear from him but that was the first time I began to realize he wasn’t 100%; he had cancelled a few things, which wasn’t like him. His illness was kept under wraps, but I’m not surprised, as that’s the way he would have wanted it. When I heard he had died I wasn’t shocked, we all know that none of us are getting any younger and we knew it was going to come some day – but it’s still very sad. I found out the news about [Gene’s death](http://time.com/4471478/gene-wilder-death-most-memorable-movie-moments/) through a friend in the U.S., who contacted me to ask whether I’d heard. After that, hundreds and hundreds of condolence messages came in thick and fast—which goes to show how loved he was, and what a special part he played in other people’s lives. My friend said Gene’s death marks the end of an era and it certainly does. It’s a very sad day. Since we filmed _Willy Wonka_, I saw him twice in person. Once was in 1996, when he headed a production of _Laughter on the 23rd Floor_, in London’s West End. I went to say hello to him backstage and he gave me a big hug and said, “Well, I guess Veruca wasn’t such a bad egg”. I saw Gene again a few years ago when he was on the British chat show _This Morning,_ after he had written his autobiography. He was so sweet and gave me the biggest hug and held on tightly to my hand. > [](https://twitter.com/HazzyC/status/770382384449593344) I’m no longer acting—around 10 years ago I trained as a child therapist, which I really enjoy. But something that’s never changed over the years is how someone’s face lights always up when they find out you’ve been in the film. We call it the Wonka effect—just mention Willy Wonka to someone having a bad day and they’ll smile. I’m still in touch with the other children, and in a few weeks I’m traveling to the U.S. to see Mike Teevee and Violet Beauregarde. We’ll raise a glass to Gene and relive all our favourite moments over again. It will be bittersweet. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4472709/gene-wilder-dead-veruca-salt/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4472709/gene-wilder-dead-veruca-salt/"},"headline":"Willy Wonka’s Julie Dawn Cole Remembers Gene Wilder: 'The Camera Doesn't Lie About Warmth'","datePublished":"2016-08-30T20:14:17.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:55:13.095Z","description":"Playing Veruca Salt alongside the celebrated actor, who died Aug. 29","url":"https://time.com/4472709/gene-wilder-dead-veruca-salt/","keywords":[],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbe294d44622bec39/6988a43df887dc2b29e973e4/ap_111018161518.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Julie Dawn Cole","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/julie-dawn-cole/"}],"articleSection":"Ideas","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltbe294d44622bec39/6988a43df887dc2b29e973e4/ap_111018161518.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"\"Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory\" 40th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition Jacques Torres Chocolates DVD Signing","caption":"\"Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory\" 40th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition Jacques Torres Chocolates DVD Signing","creditText":"Marion Curtis—ASSOCIATED PRESS","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/ideas/","name":"Ideas"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4472709/gene-wilder-dead-veruca-salt/","name":"Willy Wonka’s Julie Dawn Cole Remembers Gene Wilder: 'The Camera Doesn't Lie About Warmth'"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"In Memoriam: Gene Wilder","description":"Comedic actor Gene Wilder, best known for his roles in \"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory\" and \"Blazing Saddles\" has died at the age of 83.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/2K60n52t/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2016-08-29T22:19:18.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/2K60n52t.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/4472709/gene-wilder-dead-veruca-salt/","duration":"PT47S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/4472709/gene-wilder-dead-veruca-salt/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}] ```