He was 83 years old? Oh my - where has time gone.. So sad - Young Frankenstein will forever be one of my favourite films. Thank you Gene for all laughs you gave us - RIP.
I wonder if Charlie and the chocolate factory will do a tribute for him in a similar fashion Aladdin did for robin Williams.
such a tremendous loss.
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Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
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This breaks my heart. Wilder was one of my favorites. Not just Willy Wonka, but especially his work in the original Producers, Young Frankenstein, and Blazing Saddles. I know he did works other than those most famous comedies, but that's still how I primarily remember him. He will be missed.
Per Gene Wilder, he only agreed to play the role of Willy Wonka if he could make his screen entrance limping with his cane then suddenly stop and do this flip to emphasize to the audience Willy Wonka was unpredictable.
i worked for 20TH CENTURY FILMS when YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN was released...i went to the screening of this comic masterpiece and i had never heard an audience laugh so long and hard...R.I.P
How awful that he was suffering from Alzheimer's -- it's truly a horrific disease -- but what a blessing that at least he didn't forget his family or lose the core of his spirit.
Such sad news. Just a couple of weeks ago I was watching Young Frankenstein, and afterward decided to watch every interview of his I could find. I grew up watching a lot of his movies (my dad is a huge Mel Brooks fan), but I hadn't really thought much about him much as an adult until watching these interviews. So sad to hear of his death so soon after rediscovering my appreciation for him.
i was lucky enough to see the final preview of The Producers, and he sat four seats down the aisle from me. I didn't even know until I had to climb over him during the second act to hit the restroom. He was visibly moved at the show, dabbing his eyes with a tissue at the end.