Willy Wonka is a fictional character appearing in the 1964 children's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and its 1972 sequel Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, by British author Roald Dahl. He is an eccentric chocolatier, inventor, magician, and businessman who is the founder and owner of the Wonka Chocolate Factory. Wonka has been portrayed in film multiple times. In 1971, he was portrayed by Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Wilder's portrayal is considered widely beloved and one of his greatest roles. Johnny Depp's portrayal of the character in 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory polarized critics and audiences. Both Wilder and Depp received Golden Globe nominations for their performances. Wonka was portrayed by Timothée Chalamet in the origin prequel film of Wonka in 2023.