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.

[traderrob6]

Blazing Saddles stars almost all gone as well...Cleavon Little, Alex Karras, Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman in addition to Kahn and Wilder now.

Damn I’m getting old.

[bamapreacher]

I generally don’t care much if at all about movie stars and could care less whether most are dead or alive, but I certainly make an exception for Gene Wilder. He was THE star of every movie he appeared in. His like may never grace Hollyweird’s screens ever again.

[gogeo]

For me Teri Garr will always be 30 years old and gorgeous.

[dfwgator]

[novemberslady]

He made me laugh...

I'm sick of this crap...
why can't people stay young-look good,
always have good health...
and live forever...

at least the funny ones...

[shotgun]

My 18 yr old step son’s favorite line (after watching YF a zillion times)

[dfwgator]

Blazing Saddles stars almost all gone as well...Cleavon Little, Alex Karras, Slim Pickens, Harvey Korman in addition to Kahn and Wilder now.

And we just lost David Huddleston ("But we don't want the Irish")

[Trump Girl Kit Cat]

The list is LONG of shows we couldn’t possibly enjoy today
All in the Family
The Jeffersons
we’re just two of the absolute funniest shows on TV WHEN we were actually able to laugh at ourselves and life experiences!!! Such a shame!!!

[Doogle]

Bingo

[DoughtyOne]

Gilda, it's about time.  Gene, I missed you so much...


Free Republic, the Home of the Eternal FReeper, Conservatism's Finest  (timely thoughts on the FReeper dynamic and Free Republic)

Ramirez's latest political cartoon LARGE VERSION 08/27/2016: LINK  LINK to regular sized version of Ramirez's latest, and an archive of his political cartoons.
In this political cartoon, Ramirez presents, "Obamacure"

Please join the monthlies, an automated way to help support Free Republic.

If you are not opting to join the automated monthly support program, please consider joining the One One Done project.  LINK

FReepers, 87.13% of the Third Quarter FReep-a-thon goal has been met.  Click above and pencil in your donation now.  Please folks, lets end this FReepathon.  Thank you!
...this is a general all-purpose message, and should not be seen as targeting any individual I am responding to...

[dfwgator]

I use that line all the time.

[yarddog]

“It’s fun”.

[carolinablonde]

Have you found the Sweet Mystery of Life?

I don't believe I have. I'll look for it on Netflix or Amazon.

[dfwgator]

Burton Gilliam is still alive, he does ad spots for a local Dallas auto dealer.

[dfwgator]

John Hillerman (Howard Johnson) is still alive as well. But yep, there aren’t many left.

[Angels27]

Willy Wonka will forever be one of my childhood favorites....Loved him in all the Mel Brooks movies too...I hope he is with Gilda now.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

That what I’ve always said about Close Encounters. “You aliens go on without me. I’ll stay here since I’m married to Teri Garr. We’ll work things out.”

[AFreeBird]

Aww Man.... Serious bummer. 😢 Thanks for the memories, Gene! Say hi to Gilda for us.

[Zionist Conspirator]

I don't agree with his politics (leftist) or his religious beliefs, such as they were (some sort of atheist/agnostic/b*ddhist according to Wikipedia at one time), but he was hilarious. And though he played many, many roles he will always be to me, as he was to so many, the authentic Willie Wonka.

Now off to play the "Pure Imagination" song until I wear out the "replay" button!

[Publius]

Madeline Kahn: "Sweet Mystery of Life"