The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Film great Gene Wilder dies.
Star succumbed to complications from alzheimer’s disease
Willy Wonka star Gene Wilder has died aged 83.
The Hollywood actor, known for roles in comedy classics such as Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles, has been hailed a “comic genius” and one of the “great talents” of his generation.
Wilder’s nephew said he died earlier this month in Stamford, Connecticut, having suffered from alzheimer’s disease, the Associated Press reported.
The two-time Oscar-nominated actor was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 1989.
His friend Mel Brooks, who directed The Producers, the classic comedy in which Wilder starred, said on Twitter: “Gene Wilder – One of the truly great talents of our time. He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship.”
Comedian and presenter Dara O Briain tweeted: “Gene Wilder has died. Sad news, but such a life well lived. For me, Young Frankenstein just pips Wonka, but so many wonderful performances.
“Expecting to hear people were fans of Blazing Saddles, Producers and Stir Crazy, but amazing number going for See No Evil, Hear No Evil.”
Stephen Fry tweeted: “Farewell @GeneWilder, comic genius. Thank you for all those happy happy hours.”
The Academy tweeted: “Thank you Gene Wilder for all that you’ve given us. You’ll be missed.”
The star first made waves on Broadway before moving into movies in 1967 and a brief role as a kidnapped undertaker in Bonnie and Clyde.
Mel Brooks then cast Wilder as Leo Bloom, an anxious accountant in the 1968 comedy The Producers.
In 1971, he took on the role of one of his most beloved characters, Roald Dahl’s candy man in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
Actor Zach Braff posted a short clip from the Willy Wonka film and wrote: “RIP to the legendary Gene Wilder. 2016 has been painful so far.”
Wilder’s other well-known roles included the Waco Kid in the 1974 classic Blazing Saddles and Doctor Ross in Woody Allen’s 1972 film Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex* But Were Afraid to Ask.
This year has seen a long list of celebrity deaths including David Bowie, Ronnie Corbett and Victoria Wood.