The Associated Press reports that the family of Gene Wilder, star of film favorites such as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, has announced the actor has died at the age of 83.
Wilder was born June 11, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and studied drama at the University of Iowa and then attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. After a lengthy time on the stage, he made his feature film debut in 1967’s Bonnie and Clyde and was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Mel Brooks’ The Producers that same year. He would go on to star in two other high profile Brooks films, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein (for which he was also nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Academy Award with Brooks).
Wilder also dabbled in directing, helming four features, including The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother, The World’s Greatest Lover, The Woman in Red, and Haunted Honeymoon. He also went on to form an on-screen partnership with fellow comedian Richard Pryor, starring in Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, See No Evil, Hear No Evil, and Another You together over the course of 15 years.
The actor wrote several books, including his 2005 biography, Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art, but also several novels with his most recent being 2013’s Something to Remember You By. Wilder penned a book titled Gilda’s Disease: Sharing Personal Experiences and a Medical Perspective on Ovarian Cancer, a work in remembrance of his third wide Gilda Radner whom he met filming 1982’s Hanky Panky.
Wilder’s nephew announced the news today that the actor died late Sunday in Stamford, Connecticut from complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Gene Wilder-One of the truly great talents of our time. He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) August 29, 2016
Jordan Walker-Pearlman, the nephew of Gene Wilder, released the following statement today on behalf of the actor’s family:
It is with indescribably sadness and blues, but with spiritual gratitude for the life lived that I announced the passing of husband, parent, and universal artist Gene Wilder, at his home in Stamford Connecticut. It is almost unbearable for us to contemplate our life without him.
The cause was complications from Alzheimer’s disease, with which he co-existed for the last three years. The choice to keep this private was his choice, in talking with us and making a decision as a family. We understand for all the emotional and physical challenges this situation presented we have been among the lucky ones – this illness-pirate, unlike in so many cases, never stole his ability to recognize those that were closest to him, nor took command of his central-gentle-life affirming core personality. It took enough, but not that.
The decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasn’t vanity, but more so that the countless young children that would smile or call out to him “there’s Willy Wonka,” would not have to be then exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and causing delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion. He simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world.
He continued to enjoy art, music, and kissing with his leading lady of the last twenty-five years, Karen. He danced down a church aisle at a wedding as parent of the groom and ring bearer, held countless afternoon movie western marathons and delighted in the company of beloved ones.
He is survived by Karen, Jordan, and the Webbs (Kevin, Gretchen, Tucker, Spencer), along with Jordan’s wife Elizabeth. Gene’s sister, Corinne, predeceased him in January of this year.
He was eighty-three and passed holding our hands with the same tenderness and love he exhibited as long as I can remember. As our hands clutched and he performed one last breath the music speaker, which was set to random, began to bare out one of his favorites: Ella Fitzgerald. There is a picture of he and Ella meeting at a London bistro some years ago that are among each our cherished possessions. She was singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ as he was taken away.
“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.”
Sincerely,
“Gene’s Kid”
Jordan Walker-Pearlman
