Gene Wilder

Had played a man wrongly accused of committing a crime in five movies: Silver Streak , The Frisco Kid , Stir Crazy , Hanky Panky and See No Evil, Hear No Evil .

Had starred with Richard Pryor in four movies: Silver Streak , Stir Crazy , See No Evil, Hear No Evil and Another You .

Won the Clarence Derwent award for the Broadway play "The Complaisant Lover" in 1962.

Attended and graduated from Washington High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

After his wife Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer, Gene co-founded Gildas Club, a support group to raise awareness of the disease.

Wife Karen Boyer , is a former speech pathologist. They first met when he consulted with her about playing the role of a deaf man in See No Evil, Hear No Evil .

Received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Was a lifelong brother of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity.

Said he picked the name Gene Wilder because he could not see a Jerry Silberman playing Hamlet. He admitted that he could not see Gene Wilder playing Hamlet either.

Uncle of director-screenwriter Jordan Walker-Pearlman.

Campaigned with Elaine May and Rene Taylor for Eugene McCarthy , Allard Lowenstein and Paul ODwyer.

Served with the United States Army from 1956-1958. Served in the Medical Corps section in the United States Army.

He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy.

Treated his cancer with an adult stem-cell treatment. Made a full recovery from cancer.

When he chose his stage name, he chose "Wilder" because he loved Thornton Wilder s play "Our Town". He chose the name "Gene" simply because he liked this, not realizing until later this was because his mothers name was Jeanne (she was sick for most of his childhood, and he spent much of his time entertaining her as a kid to keep her happy and her spirits up. He subconsciously chose the name because he loved her so much and in honour of her).

While serving in the United States Army, he was assigned as a Medic to the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He worked in treating psychiatric patients.

He claimed that before Mel Brooks recruited him, he regarded himself as more of a dramatic actor than a comedic actor.

His performance as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein ("thats FRONKensteen") in Young Frankenstein is ranked #9 on Premiere magazines 100 Greatest Performances of All Time.

His performance as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is ranked #38 on Premiere magazines 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.

Attended the University of Iowa, as did Ashton Kutcher , Mary Beth Hurt and Ben Rollins.

He adopted Mary Joan Schutzs daughter, Katharine Anastasia, but became estranged from her when she was in her early 20s.

Was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for The Producers but lost to Jack Albertson , who won for The Subject Was Roses . Both Wilder and Albertson would later co-star in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory .

According to his memoir "Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art", his cancer was in complete remission.

According to his memoir "Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art", he considered his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman , whom he helped raise, his son.

His father was a Ukrainian Jewish immigrant. His mother was born in Illinois, to Russian Jewish parents. Gene had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony.

For an American Film Institute poll, Wilder designated The Circus as his favourite film.

In 1991, the Best Man at his wedding was his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman. Twenty-four years later, Wilder served as Best Man Emeritus, Ring Bearer, and Parent of the Groom at Walker-Pearlmans wedding to Elizabeth Hunter. He was recorded dancing down the aisle.

Wilder was a supporter of the Democratic Party for many years, and staunchly opposed U.S. actions in the Vietnam War and the Iraq War. He supported Eugene McCarthy in the 1968 presidential election.

Lived in Stamford, Connecticut until his death.

He was considered for a supporting role in Lady in the Water .

He was considered for the role of Royal Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums , which went to Gene Hackman.

He was offered a cameo role in The BFG , which, like Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory , was based on a book by Roald Dahl , but he declined.

He was considered for the Moon King in The Adventures of Baron Munchausen , which went to Robin Williams.

He auditioned for the role of the drifter Vin Tannen in The Magnificent Seven , which went to Steve McQueen.

He turned down Jon Voight s role in Catch-22 in order to play twins in Start the Revolution Without Me .

Mel Brooks wanted him to star in High Anxiety , which he turned down due to scheduling conflicts. Brooks took the role himself.

Mel Brooks offered him the role of Ippolit in The Twelve Chairs . But Wilder wanted to play the role of Ostap instead. Brooks refused to cast Wilder because Ostap is described in the novel as "devilishly handsome". Wilder said that he was not offended by this, but still decided not to do the film. The roles went to Ron Moody and Frank Langella.

He was offered Red Buttons role in The Poseidon Adventure , which he turned down due to scheduling conflicts.

Died on August 29, 2016 from complications of Alzheimers Disease. His nephew said in a statement, "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. The decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasnt vanity, but more so that the countless young children that would smile or call out to him "theres 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 couldnt bear the idea of one less smile in the world." (Statement Via Variety).

In October 2001, he read from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" as part of a special benefit performance held at the Westport Country Playhouse to support families affected by the September 11 attacks. Also in 2001, Wilder donated a collection of scripts, correspondences, documents, photographs, and clipped images to the University of Iowa Libraries.

He was set to reunite with Richard Pryor in Trading Places until Pryor dropped out. When Eddie Murphy was cast, he requested that Wilder be replaced, as he did not want to come-off as a poor substitute for Pryor.

Pursued a career in comedic acting to cheer up his mother when she was suffering from heart disease.

Gene Wilder guest-starred on the "Will & Grace" episode "Boardroom and a Parked Place" as Wills new boss, Mr. Stein. As Will is trying to boost Mr. Steins confidence, he has Stein shout, "I am Stein! I am Stein!." In an outtake from the episode, Will stands up and shouts, "Youre Frankenstein!".

Upon his death, he was cremated and his ashes given to his family.

Has appeared in four of the American Film Institutes 100 Funniest Movies: Blazing Saddles at #6, The Producers at #11, Young Frankenstein at #13 and Silver Streak at #95.

Acting mentor and friends with Kelly LeBrock.

He became a surrogate father to Kelly LeBrock , when she lost her father in real-life.

Remained close friends with Kelly LeBrock after the release of The Woman in Red .

In early 2001 Gene was grocery shopping in a Super Market near his home in Stanford Conneticut when a mother approached him and asked him if she could tell her kids who he was and Gene said Yes if you promise not to say it loud. And the mother whispered to her kids Thats Willy Wonka! She then turned to Gene and said What a legacy!.

His final novel, "Even Dogs Learn How To Swim," was released in April 2017. The audio version, for which he performed the narration, was directed by his nephew film maker Jordan Walker-Pearlman. It was created over five days in a recording studio near the actors Stamford, Connecticut home two years before his death.

One of his all-time favorite songs was "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and particularly the version sung by Ella Fitzgerald. According to his family, as Wilder laid on his deathbed, the music player (which was set to random) changed to this song. Wilder then smiled, closed his eyes, and peacefully passed away.

Was friends with Mel Brooks.

He was offered roles by Steven Spielberg in The BFG and Ready Player One and respectfully declined both.

Great art direction is NOT the same thing as great film direction!,A lot of comic actors derive their main force from childish behavior.

Actors fall into this trap if they missed being loved for who they,really were and not for what they could do - sing, dance, joke about -,then they take that as love.

Lots of things are hard work, but I think writing, for me, after I,started acting at 13 years old. I like writing now much more than I do,acting only because, well, partly because the scripts that are offered,are junk.

I feel alone and safe in public.

I said something really stupid once. I told a friend that my mother was so beautiful, but my dad was ugly. My dad heard it and just laughed it off, but I felt guilty. It haunted me for years. I should never have said that. .