Hollywood actor Gene Wilder, best known for his comedic role in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, died on Monday. He was 83. According to members of his family, he had been suffering from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.
His nephew, in a statement said, “We have been among the lucky ones…[his illness] never stole his ability to recognise those that were closest to him, nor took command of his central-gentle-life affirming core personality.” He added that the family had not disclosed his illness “so that the countless young children that would smile or call out to him 'there’s Willy Wonka', would not have to be then exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble”.
Wilder was nominated for two Oscars – for playing a mad scientist in Young Frankenstein, and an eccentric accountant in The Producers. The director of The Producers, Mel Brooks said, “He blessed every film we did together with his special magic and he blessed my life with his friendship. He will be so missed.”
Among his other notable films were Blazing Saddles and Woody Allen’s Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex. He saw popular resurgence in recent years in the unlikely form of a viral Internet meme, showing him as “condescending/creepy Wonka”, usually accompanied by a sarcastic caption.
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