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.

[Old Yeller]

Mel Brooks said you couldn’t possibly make Blazing Saddles today. The world has become too politically correct.

But if you think about it, Blazing Saddles made the white people look stupid. You know, like any television commercial today that has both blacks and whites in it.

[Thunder 6]

True, the edited “PC” version is disjointed crap. I’ll be pulling out the DVD to watch this evening...

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

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.

Several years ago, I was coming in the back door of a restaurant in Hollywood and held it open for an older couple coming out. It was Buck Henry and his wife, and it took all of my strength not to yell out, "LORD AND LADY DOUCHEBAG."

[Conan the Librarian]

I remember Captain Nice. Funny show, but I was 6 or 7 at the time.

I do remember that William Daniels was “Captain Nice”.

Any one ever see Gene’s “Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother”?

[mumblypeg]

“What in the world did he ever manifest in his life...?”

A lot. Laughter, joy, that kind of human, rare and needful stuff. With which you are evidently unfamiliar.

[SMGFan]

Favorite line “You are talking about the nonsensical ravings of a lunatic mind!”

[P.O.E.]

RIP & thanks for all the comedic memories. You will be missed.

[BBB333]

“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.”

Wrote: Get Smart! for one...

[mountn man]

[mountn man]

Burton Gilliam and John Hillerman are still alive.
As well as Robyn Hilton

[PLMerite]

"Sadly, I don’t think you’d want to see up Kelly LeBrock’s skirt now, either. She hasn’t aged the Raquel Welch way."

She's a few months older than me. I don't look like I did in 1985 either. But I do still go for slightly younger women.

[esquirette]

Judge not?

[wally_bert]

I had forgotten about Simon Brimmer until I was watching some Ellery Queen reruns recently.

RIP Waco Kid.

[esquirette]

You judge my motive and find it wanting on charity. However I perceive contradiction. You may judge me but I may not invite anyone to examine a life in public. How extraordinarily dense of you.

[wally_bert]

Quark deserved a few seasons.

[PLMerite]

“Quark deserved a few seasons.”

I was in High School. Senior Year. I remember talking to my girlfriend on the phone, with it in the background.

[mountn man]

I didn’t think he was that old. Then I remembered how old I am...

Same as all of you.

With each passing year, I latch harder and harder onto my lifes motto (I think Gene would agree)

"Growing old is mandatory.
Growing up is optional."

Gene had a perpetual smirk on his face and a twinkle in his eye.

I endeavor to have the same.

[esquirette]

God says life is eternal with joy or terror as potential ends. Laughter on the other hand is amusement - the absence of thought. And yes, that distraction can be very effective in keeping people from thinking about eternity.

[esquirette]

God says life is eternal with joy or terror as potential ends. Laughter on the other hand is amusement - the absence of thought. And yes, that distraction can be very effective in keeping people from thinking about eternity.

[trisham]

Thanks, mountn man. :)