Peter Ostrum remembers Gene Wilder

Actor Peter Ostrum, who played Charlie opposite Gene Wilder's

Willy Wonka

, has paid tribute to his late co-star, insisting his death is like 'losing a parent'. Wilder died on Sunday and

Ostrum

admits he's still recovering from the shock of his old friend's death, reported Variety.


"It's kind of like losing a parent. You know it's going to happen, but it's still a shock. He was not in good health at the end and it was not unexpected by any means, but when it happens, it hits you like, 'Gene is gone and there will never be anyone like him again'," the 58-year-old actor said.

Ostrum had not seen Wilder since they made 'Willy Wonka & the

Chocolate Factory

' together in 1970, but he has fond memories of his co-star, adding, "They would break for lunch and

Gene

and I would always buy a chocolate bar and share it on the way back to the set."

He also recalled, "He was so quirky. You never knew what to expect from Gene. He never let on how he was going to read a line or convey an expression. That's why the film works, because he made Wonka so unpredictable."