'Willy Wonka' star Gene Wilder dies aged 83

'Willy Wonka' star Gene Wilder dies aged 83
By Euronews
Share this articleComments
Share this articleClose Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below:Copy to clipboardCopied

Actor Gene Wilder – best known for his role in the film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” – has died, aged 83, according to a family statement.

ADVERTISEMENT

Actor Gene Wilder – best known for his role in the film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” – has died, aged 83, according to a family statement.

He also made comedic star turns in the likes of “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein.” His collaborations with Director Mel Brooks and actor Richard Prior produced some of the most memorable comic scenes in modern cinema.

Wilder, an often frantic presence in some of the funniest movies of the 1970s and 80s with his kinky curls and startled blue eyes, succumbed to complications from Alzheimer’s disease – which he had battled privately for the past three years.

After announcing his death, his family said the actor had chosen to keep his illness secret so that children who knew him as Willy Wonka would not equate the whimsical character with an adult disease.

Social media tributes

Gene Wilder was a legend, RIP. pic.twitter.com/xG5XlHzVLA

— Joshua (@NvJoshua) 29 August 2016

Rest in Peace, one of the greatest actors ever, #GeneWilder :/ pic.twitter.com/c3YQHwGZC0

— Tilmen knows stuff (@TiLMEN) 29 August 2016

UPDATE: #MelBrooks says #GeneWilder 'blessed every film we did with his magic' https://t.co/mQ1RbOCykM

— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) 29 August 2016

Sad news. #WillyWonka is one of my favorites and 99% of the reason is because of Gene Wilder's epic performance. RIP pic.twitter.com/VhHIhfhnvb

— Chris Callahan (@rgb_alpha) 29 August 2016

Share this articleComments

You might also like

Trump's lawyers say it is impossible for him to post bond covering $454 million fraud case

Joe Biden delivers barnstorming State of the Union address

Trump and Biden romp to victory in Super Tuesday primaries