Feeding Tube Hell: 'Willy Wonka' Star Denise Nickerson Hospital Bed Photos Revealed
Jul. 12 2018, Published 12:41 a.m. ET
Willy Wonka actress Denise Nickerson suffered a "massive stroke" last week that left her in ICU with a feeding tube and now RadarOnline.com exclusively obtained disturbing photos of the star suffering in her hospital bed. Her son Josh revealed to RadarOnline.com his mom was "not fully cognizant" and the family was "not sure" when Denise, who played the human blueberry Violet as a child actress in the beloved 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, was going to be able to leave the hospital as she’s not able to care for herself. "She can’t walk. She can’t talk," he said. Click through the gallery for more.
The 61-year-old's son revealed details of the dire situation. “We’ve been in the hospital with her for three weeks. No one knows when she’s going to go home. She’s got a permanent feeding tube because she can’t swallow. Doctors are saying if she makes it out of this she’ll be discharged to a rehabilitation center.”
Her only son updated RadarOnline.com on her status after she was hospitalized Saturday June 23 at 9 am. “She’s able to do some light movement but still, her right side is immobile. We’re taking this extremely hard and want her to get better but right now, it’s hard. Her stroke was really massive.”
RadarOnline.com also exclusively learned the former child actress will be cared for by her daughter-in-law, Jasmine, after she's released from the hospital.
Josh, his wife Jasmine, and Denise all live together in a Colorado apartment and the devoted daughter-in-law told RadarOnline.com, "Once she gets out of the hospital and eventually gets home, I'll have to quit my job. She'll need around-the-clock care and I'll be the one to do that."
Denise's family members are trying to raise cash to help with her medical costs and have set up a Facebook support page where they are providing fans with updates.
They are also offering autographed merchandise in exchange for donations. Get well soon, Denise! We pay for juicy info! Do you have a story for RadarOnline.com? Email us at tips@radaronline.com, or call us at (866) ON-RADAR (667-2327) any time, day or night.