Julie Dawn Cole, the child actor who so perfectly embodied the spoiled, vitriolic Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory that a '90s alternative rock band named themselves after her, has weighed in on the death of her former co-star Gene Wilder on Twitter with a few simple, heartfelt words:
Such very sad news. Words not enough. Treasured memories ????
– Julie Dawn Cole (@realverucasalt) August 29, 2016
While none of the other Wonka kids have yet spoken out on Wilder's death, we'll keep you updated if and when more of them pay tribute. Cole, for the record, has continued to act since starring in the 1971 classic and even paid homage to her most famous role in a show at the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe festival entitled Willy Wonka Revisited: The Veruca Salt Sessions. Two years ago she reunited with Wonka co-stars Paris Themmen (Mike TeeVee), Denise Nickerson (Violet Beauregarde), Michael Bollner (Augustus Gloop), Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket) and “Oompa Loompa” Rusty Goffe on an episode of The Today Show. You can watch that appearance below.