Snozzwanger - Grandpa Joe

Grandpa Joe is one of Charlie's four bed-ridden grandparents. He tells Charlie (and the reader) the story of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory and the mystery of the secret workers. When Charlie finds the Golden Ticket, Grandpa Joe leaps out of bed in joy for the first time in almost twenty years. Charlie takes Grandpa Joe to accompany him on the factory tour, Mr. Bucket reasoning that Joe is the better person as he knows more about the factory than the rest of them. In the sequel book, Grandpa Joe accompanies Charlie, Willy Wonka, and all members of Charlie's family in the Great Glass Elevator and plays a crucial role in the rescue of the Commuter Capsule from the Vermicious Knids. Grandpa Joe's age is given as ninety-six and a half in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", making him the eldest of Charlie's grandparents.

An original backstory to Grandpa Joe's past was added to Tim Burton's 2005 film adaptation. In both the book and the 1971 film, Joe merely knows of Willy Wonka. In Burton's 2005 film, it is said that Joe actually worked for Wonka for five years, beginning when Wonka opened his first candy shop, until the day he fired all his workers from his factory. He then tells this to Wonka, and is welcomed back.

The character was played by Jack Albertson in the 1971 film adaptation Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

The character was played by David Kelly in the 2005 film adaptation, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Gregory Peck was originally slated to play the role, but he passed away before filming began.