A Look Back at Gene Wilder’s Legendary Career

The world mourns as it has lost one of its most beloved comedic actors, Gene Wilder, at the age of 83. Born in Wisconsin on June 11, 1933, Wilder first became interested in comedy as a way to make his mother feel better during her battles with heart disease. His talents as an actor, evident at an early age, were honed at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre in England and then, following his service in the U.S. military, on Broadway.

It was during this time in New York that he met one of his greatest collaborators, a comedy legend in his own right, Mel Brooks. In the late ’60s, Wilder started to become a household name as he co-starred in The Producers, earning him an Academy Award nomination. That same year, he also had a memorable performance as Eugene Grizzard in Bonnie and Clyde.

Though he had plenty of opportunities, Wilder chose to be selective with his roles. In doing so, he made himself available to be the star of many all-time classics. In 1971, he took on what may be his most iconic role, Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. Wilder went on to be one of the many famous faces in Woody Allen’s Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask).

In 1974, he teamed up again with Mel Brooks for two comedies that are among the greatest films ever made. One was the Old West parody Blazing Saddles. The other was one that would earn Wilder an Academy Award nomination for best writing, Young Frankenstein. Despite their success together, Wilder and Brooks didn’t collaborate again.

Wilder found other creative partners. One was standup legend Richard Pryor. The two paired up on four movies: Silver Streak; Stir Crazy; See No Evil, Hear No Evil; and Another You. The other great creative partner of his life was his third wife, Gilda Radner. The two met in 1982 on Hanky Panky, and a love was born from that experience. They went on to work on other films together, including The Woman in Red and Haunted Honeymoon, both of which Wilder directed. When Radner passed away in 1989, Wilder co-founded Gilda’s Club, a cancer-support organization.

After Another You in 1991, Wilder took on less work but did show up quite a bit on television. He starred in the short-lived Something Wilder in the mid ’90s, and in 2003 he won a Primetime Emmy for his guest appearance on Will & Grace.

On Monday, Aug. 29, Wilder passed away due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He is survived by his wife, Karen Boyer, and his nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman. Rest in peace, Gene Wilder.