Wilder’s legacy for comedic delivery and sensational, odd-ball style will go down in history thanks to his roles in childhood favourite Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and his many outrageous roles in Mel Brooks’ 70s classic comedies.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Wilder led an exciting life. After attending Iowa University to study Communications and Theatre Arts, he worked as a paramedic in the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at Valley Forge Army Hospital, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Dreaming of New York, Wilder became a prominent face on the off-Broadway scene, eventually meeting Mel Brooks in 1963.
Meeting and working with Mel Brooks was one of the key moments in his career, and the two worked together over the years to put out seminal works: The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein (which Wilder wrote the original script for, and received an Academy Award nomination for). Brooks, fairly active on Twitter, had nothing but the highest words for the passing of his friend:
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.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) August 29, 2016
Wilder would go on to star in many remarkable works of comedy, both on stage and screen. His remarkably adaptable style encompassed both physical and verbal humour like no one else. The Internet is therefore awash with appreciation.
#GeneWilder The twinkle in your eyes will be returned to the stars but never forgotten. Thank you for the magic.#RIP pic.twitter.com/8yjci9RKwQ
— Jennifer Beals (@jenniferbeals) August 29, 2016
I always, always laugh. Genius. RIP #GeneWilder. pic.twitter.com/aJjxHdEGtN
— KarenLR (@KarenRamlall) August 29, 2016
A part of my childhood just died tonight. RIP Mr Wonka.. #willywonka #GeneWilder
— terence (@terryletiss) August 29, 2016
TIFF had kind words for the comedic legend:
One of the most memorable introductions in film history, this somersault was written into the script by Gene Wilder. pic.twitter.com/7cYboJuBJn
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) August 29, 2016
They’re referring to Willy Wonka’s famous entrance, a beautiful piece of physical comedy that Wilder actually wrote into the script, intending to inspire uncertainty about the character’s motivations.
Rotten Tomatoes offered up a truly apt celebration of the actor and writer:
Goodbye to the music maker… and the dreamer of dreams.
Gene Wilder 1933 – 2016 pic.twitter.com/nRRE1cA1Sv— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) August 29, 2016
And finally, from one comedian to another:
Farewell #GeneWilder, comic genius. Thank you for all those happy happy hours. pic.twitter.com/O6oHS9TQqX
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) August 29, 2016