Diana Mae Sowle (néeLaumer; June 19, 1930 – October 19, 2018) was an American actress. She was best known for her role as Charlie Bucket's mother in the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Early life
Born as Diana Mae Laumer in Chico, California, she was one of five siblings. She attended Chico High School, and appeared in school plays, where she became interested in drama. Sowle graduated in 1949 and attended the University of Denver, after which she appeared in the play "The Drunkard". Sowle did voice-over for American plays and appeared in theater in Germany.[1]
Career
Film roles
Sowle is 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 singing voice was dubbed by Diana Lee.[2] Sowle joined the cast in Germany, where it was filmed.[1] Apart from Chocolate Factory, her only other screen roles were cameos in Clear and Present Danger and Guarding Tess, both in 1994.[3]
Video game
Sowle also gave voice to "Agatha" and other characters in the 2008 video game Fallout 3.[4]
Theatre
Sowle frequently performed in the long-running play Shear Madness at the Kennedy Center, portraying socialite Eleanor Shubert.[5] Her last-known appearance was in May–June 2013. In mid-2012, Sowle appeared in a production of Love Letters, opposite actor Larry Storch in Farmville, Virginia, to benefit the Tom Mix Rangers.
Personal life
Sowle lived in Germany for about 20 years starting in 1960 and had other homes, including one in Maryland (in the Washington, D.C., area). She was a mother of two and grandmother of four. Sowle's husband, Bill, worked for the CIA and died in 2013.[6] Sowle ran a free tutoring program for underprivileged children in Washington D.C. for almost 25 years.[7][8]
Death
Sowle died of natural causes on October 19, 2018, at the age of 88.[7][9][4]
