Some sad news this evening, as it has been announced that the legendary American actor Gene Wilder has passed away aged 83 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Born Jerome Silberman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1933, Wilder began his career in the theatre and made his big screen debut with a minor role in 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde before starring in a lead role in Mel Brooks’ The Producers the following year. This marked the first in a series of collaborations with Brooks, and also gave Wilder the first of two Oscar-nominations.
In 1971, Wilder appeared in one of his best-loved roles, portraying the titular Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. He would receive another Oscar nomination for 1974’s Young Frankenstein, this time for co-writing the script with Brooks, and also appeared in Brooks’ Blazing Saddles that same year.
Wilder would also form a hugely successful comedy double act with Richard Pryor, beginning with 1976’s Silver Streak, and they appeared in a further three films together: Stir Crazy (1980), See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989) and Another You (1991).
Originally published August 29, 2016. Updated October 24, 2022.
