Biography

Diana Mae Sowle (née Laumer; June 19, 1930 – October 19, 2018) was an American actress of film and theater and voice artist, best known for playing Mrs. Bucket (Charlie Bucket's mother) in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and her performance of "Cheer up Charlie" in that film, although her voice in the song was dubbed by Diana Lee.Sowle joined the cast while in Germany, where it was filmed. At the time of her death in 2018, she was the last surviving parent from the film. Sowle's death left two remaining adult cast members of Wonka: Tim Brooke-Taylor, who portrayed a computer scientist, although his role was uncredited, and Rusty Goffe, who was in his twenties when he played one of the Oompa Loompas.