He died in 2016 at the age of 83 after experiencing complications from Alzheimer's disease. The actor also went on to star on the NBC sitcom "Something Wilder," and he had a two-episode arc on NBC's "Will and Grace," which earned him an Emmy.Īfter 2003, he pivoted away from acting and published a few books, including his 2005 memoir, "Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art." He starred in "Blazing Saddles" (1974), cowrote and starred in "Young Frankenstein" (1974), and gave a Golden Globe-nominated performance in "Silver Streak" (1976). The film tells the story of a poor child named Charlie Bucket who, after finding a Golden Ticket in a chocolate bar, visits Willy Wonka's chocolate factory along with four other children from around the world. It is an adaptation of the 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Wilder is still perhaps best known for "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (1971), but he went on to an illustrious acting career after the film. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a 1971 American musical fantasy film directed by Mel Stuart and starring Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka. Paramount Pictures John Lamparski/WireImage/Getty Imagesįrom the moment he somersaulted out of his factory, the characters (and the audience) were captivated by Gene Wilder as the titular Willy Wonka.īefore signing on to the role, the actor was best known for movies like "Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) and "The Producers" (1967). and found that Mel Brooks was a great influence on his screen writing. When he was 11 he wanted to be a comedian like Sid Ceasar then when he was 15 and saw Lee J Cobb in 'Death of a Salesman' he decided he would be a comedy actor. Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka (left) and in 2013 (right). Gene Wilder, Actor: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
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