Gene Wilder, Beloved Comedic Actor and Screenwriter, Dies at The Age 83
Gene Wilder, the legendary comedian and actor, has passed away. The beloved star of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory was 83 years old. His family released a statement that the actor had died on August 29, 2016 from complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Born on June 11, 1933, as Jerome Silberman, he leaves behind a legendary and illustrious career as a stage and comic actor, a screenwriter, and an author.
At the age of 11, Gene saw his sister studying acting, and he became enthralled with the idea. He asked her teacher if he could study with him, but he was told if he truly wanted to learn, he had to be 13. Sure enough, the day after his 13th birthday, Gene showed up and studied with him for two years.
In the late 1950s, he got his start after being accepted into the Actors Studio. At that time, he felt that “Jerry Silberman in Macbeth” didn’t have a great ring to it, and he chose his stage name Gene Wilder.
Loved by many for his role of Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Gene was a sensation in Hollywood.
Here is a clip from that film, of Wilder singing “Pure Imagination”.
Rest in Peace, Gene.
