The actress who played Violet in "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" recently suffered a stroke that's left her in critical condition ... and her family in dire straits.
A Facebook group has been started to help support Denise Nickerson, who's recovering from a stroke she suffered in late June. The FB group has been offering updates on her health status for about a week now, and is also offering autographed items for cash so they can stay by her side.
Sources close to the family say Denise is in the ICU, but are adamant -- she is a fighter. Denise will be having a procedure later Wednesday.
Our sources say she's had a pacemaker put in and is being fed through feeding tubes.
In addition to her 'Wonka' fame, she also appeared in an episode of "The Brady Bunch," and was a regular in the series "Dark Shadows" and "The Electric Company."
The family's raised $2,492 so far for health care fees and other costs.