Gene Wilder has died. He was 83.
(Photo: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
The actor — best known for his role as the quirky chocolate factory owner in the film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” — died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, his family confirmed to the Associated Press Monday.
(Photo: ‘Willy Wonka’ screen grab)
BREAKING: Gene Wilder, star of ‘Willy Wonka’ and Mel Brooks comedies, is dead at 83, his family says.
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) August 29, 2016
Wilder’s other most famous roles were in “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein” and “Stir Crazy.”
(Photo: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
In 1989, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and treated with radiation.
Born Jerome Silberman in Milwaukee, Wilder began acting at age 12. After attending the University of Iowa in 1955, he began acting on Broadway and television. His first big role came in 1967 when he took on the role of Eugene Grizzard in “Bonnie and Clyde.”
Wilder’s most recent role was in 2003 on the hit series “Will and Grace,” which he won an Emmy for.
“Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” — Rent $3.99/Buy $9.99