Thread: Gene Wilder, star of 'Willy Wonka,' dead at 83

(CNN)Gene Wilder, who brought a wild-eyed desperation to a series of memorable and iconic comedy roles in the 1970s and 1980s, has died, his lawyer, Eric Weissmann, said.

He was 83.

Wilder is best known for his collaborations with director Mel Brooks, starring as the stressed-out Leo Bloom in Brooks' breakout 1967 film "The Producers" and later in the monster movie spoof "Young Frankenstein." He also portrayed a boozing gunslinger in "Blazing Saddles."

Brooks called Wilder "one of the truly great talents of our time" in a statement Monday.

"He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship," Brooks wrote.



But for many people, Wilder might be best remembered for "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," playing the mysterious candy tycoon in the 1971 adaptation of Roald Dahl's book.

Wilder continued to star in numerous comedies, with less consistent success. That included several films with Richard Pryor, including "Stir Crazy" and "Silver Streak," as well as solo vehicles like "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother" and "The World's Greatest Lover," which he also directed.

In a 2005 interview with CNN, Wilder discussed how he met Brooks, having been cast in a play opposite the director's then-girlfriend, Anne Bancroft.

"That led to 'The Producers' and 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein,' but because I was miscast in a play," Wilder said. "And it changed my life."

http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/29/entert....html?adkey=bn

Originally Posted by Valiant Woman

Wow! I didn't realize he was that old! He was older than my father. RIP Gene, he was a funny guy in "Young Frankenstein" and the film he did with Richard Pryor where they wound up in jail.

The line I laughed at the hardest was Gene Wilder at the end of this clip. SEDA-GIVE?

Brilliant comedian!!! - Young Frankenstein was my favorite too.

Does anyone know if he was a Christian?

He lived a pretty long live so it's not like his passing was a surprise or anything.

This is not as sad as it would be when a young person dies expectantly.

Like I heard one preacher who was doing a funeral and a 95 year old man was sitting on the front row... "sir, should we just wait a few minutes?" (guess the preacher thought the old guy could croak at any moment).

I'm sure it's just me... death doesn't impress me much. God already told us that it's appointed for each person to croak which is nothing more than saying each of us will have to leave this sin sick hell hole at some point.

Thank God!

Originally Posted by Farm Truck

He lived a pretty long live so it's not like his passing was a surprise or anything.

This is not as sad as it would be when a young person dies expectantly.

Like I heard one preacher who was doing a funeral and a 95 year old man was sitting on the front row... "sir, should we just wait a few minutes?" (guess the preacher thought the old guy could croak at any moment).

I'm sure it's just me... death doesn't impress me much. God already told us that it's appointed for each person to croak which is nothing more than saying each of us will have to leave this sin sick hell hole at some point.

Thank God!

Farm Truck back to his compassionate best

Originally Posted by Cardinal TT

Farm Truck back to his compassionate best

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Somewhere, sometime Farm Truck has his.

My season starts when I get out of this hell hole you people call planet earth.

The Lord is the only Father I've ever known (my dad left before I was born... I must have screwed up somehow and my Mom remarried and had other kids with the new hubby)... so, it's actually a good place to be in knowing the Lord is all you have.

Yeah, I'll be an "old fart" someday... but if the Lord tarries I'll be really old and I won't go sick!