Gene Wilder, ‘Willie Wonka’ Star and Comedic Icon, Dies at 83.

Variety ^ | 8/29/2016 | Richard Natale

[Carriage Hill]

Gene Wilder, who regularly stole the show in such comedic gems as “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Stir Crazy,” died Monday at his home in Stamford, Conn. His nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman said he died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He was 83.

He had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1989.

[jsanders2001]

< Who would photograph the poor man in that condition? Seems cruel to me.

Actually liked the pic. It shows how far he has journeyed. He was a comedic genius.

[Political Junkie Too]

both Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner are still alive and very healthy even now. Brooks and Reiner were true pioneers of television comedy in its infancy and contributed a lot to television, movies and even the stage.

And Buck Henry.

-PJ

[dfwgator]

Man, as if I couldn’t get even more depressed.

[mountn man]

I saw Blazing Saddles about a week ago.

Because of that, I had looked him up and saw the picture someone else posted, of him walking with assistance.

When did he get old???

[discostu]

That’s the reality of life. If you wanna die pretty kill yourself at 17. For everybody else, we’re gonna get old, we’re gonna look like crap, but the fact that we’re still around is something. Getting old sucks but it’s better than the alternative.

[KC_for_Freedom]

I have to agree, Silver Streak always grabs me to watch it again

[dfwgator]

I always thought Buck Henry was one of the best SNL hosts they ever had, but for the life of me, I have no idea what he did before SNL.

[jsanders2001]

> Actually Depp’s Wonka was closer to the book. Wonka was a much darker character than Wilder portrayed him as.

I liked Wilder better than Depp in role better by x 10 book or no book...lol

[Frank_2001]

Blazing Saddles was excellent! RIP Gene Wilder

[lee martell]

I thought he had already crossed over that line.
Might have been privately ill for the last decade or two.

[notdownwidems]

Sad news. I like him in quite a lot of films (including Bonnie and Clyde). I think his greatest role was Willy Wonka.

You're right, he was great in his very small role in 'Bonnie and Clyde'...and that woman (Evans Evans, or some such?) was GORGEOUS!

[eyedigress]

You should see my cartoon collection.

Some include....

Coal Black and the Sebben Dwarves
Goldilocks and the Jivin’ Bears
The Isle of Pingo Pongo
Mickey in Arabia.......

Talk about NEVER, oh my.

[Political Junkie Too]

He co-created Get Smart with Mel Brooks.

Was a writer for Steve Allen before that.

-PJ

[Mamzelle]

Does anyone remember “The Scarecrow”?

[CarolinaPeach]

Sad news, indeed. He was a great talent. Alzheimer’s is a terrible, horrid disease. Peace and blessings to his family and loved ones.

Peach

[The KG9 Kid]

Ach, NO!

[Sans-Culotte]

..and that woman (Evans Evans, or some such?) was GORGEOUS!

Yep, it was Evans Evans, who was married to director John Frankenheimer.

[sargon]

I wonder if any regular cable could play Blazing Saddles without chopping it to bits. Maybe Sundance.

Nope. It has become totally taboo. And the censored version of the film is not worth watching.

Almost everything Gene Wilder did in film was great..

[Dr. Ursus]

What a pair of knockers-Thank You!

[Publius]

He wrote the script for “The Graduate” from Charles Webb’s novel. He also played a small part in the film as the desk clerk at the hotel.