Paris Themmen, Mike Teavee actor from "Willy Wonka," appears on "Jeopardy"
Paris Themmen, who played Mike Teavee in the 1971 film "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," set viewers abuzz when he appeared on "Jeopardy" on Wednesday. Themmen did not play up his claim to fame, though, instead describing himself as an "avid backpacker" who has backpacked on six out of seven continents.
That didn't stop fans from recognizing him from his memorable role as a TV-obsessed, cowboy hat-wearing brat who gets shrunk to a fraction of his normal size.
Why wouldn't Paris Themmen mention those most amazing fact he had about himself:
— JeopardyBlindGuesser (@JeopardyGuesser) March 13, 2018
He played Mike Teavee in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory #Jeopardy #WillyWonka pic.twitter.com/CVeZ4cx7rV
WBZ interrupted the opening of Jeopardy! so I didn’t get his name until Alex Trebek repeated it - it’s @ParisThemmen, Mike Teevee from Willy Wonka! pic.twitter.com/NNPUQ09hV0
— Tim Colby (@timjcolby) March 13, 2018
Themmen was only 11 when he was in "Wonka," but he has made cameos on food TV shows since then. Though he stayed mum about his "Wonka" role on "Jeopardy," he does allude to it on his Twitter account.
Themmen posted a photo of himself holding a golden ticket, and also tweeted a meme with a throwback photo from his "Wonka" days.
With the hugely talented Christian Borle today at New York Comic Con! pic.twitter.com/kLt84FotZa
— Paris Themmen (@ParisThemmen) October 6, 2017
— Paris Themmen (@ParisThemmen) May 31, 2017
Themmen came in second on "Jeopardy."