Jerome Silberman known professionally as Gene Wilder, starred in several hit Hollywood movies like The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, died Monday at his home in Connecticut at the age of 83.
According to his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman he died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.Gene Wilder had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1989.
Gene Wilder first made waves on Broadway before transitioning to the silver screen for a brief role as a kidnapped undertaker in Bonnie and Clyde (1967).
Mel Brooks then casted him as Leo Bloom, an anxious accountant in the 1968 comedy, The Producers. Later in 1971, he took on the role of one of his most beloved characters, Willy Wonka, in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
Gene Wilder’s other well known roles were the Waco Kid in the 1974 cult classic Blazing Saddles and Doctor Ross in Woody Allen’s 1972 film, Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex* But Were Afraid to Ask.
It is sad to loose such talented legendary artists like him. Sympathies and prayers to the family, may his soul rest in peace.
