By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/gene-wilder-star-comedies-blazing-saddles-young-frankenstein-dies Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Gene Wilder, star of comedies ‘Blazing Saddles’ and ‘Young Frankenstein,’ dies Arts Aug 29, 2016 5:17 PM EDT For anyone who’s heard the “Oompa Loompa” song or Frankenstein pronounced as “Fronkensteen,” Monday’s news of actor Gene Wilder’s death cuts deeply. Wilder died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at age 83, according to his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman. Wilder passed away in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut, late Sunday, reported the Associated Press. He had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, in 1989. Gene Wilder stars with comedian Richard Pryor in the action comedy “Silver Streak”. Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images Wilder was born Jerome Silberman in Milwaukee and began studying acting at age 12. He started as a stage actor and later appeared in dozens of television shows and movies, including “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” in 1971 as the reclusive and slightly demented candy maker with his cadre of orange-faced Oompa Loompa assistants. Watch the trailer: In the 1974 Mel Brooks-directed comedy, “Young Frankenstein,” he played the life-regenerating scientist in denial of his infamous grandfather’s legacy. In a rare public appearance in 2013, he spoke about the movie and of working with Brooks: Wilder also starred in other Brooks classics, including 1968’s “The Producers” as an accountant trying to produce a Broadway flop, and in the 1974 western spoof “Blazing Saddles.” On Monday, Brooks tweeted about the loss 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 The wild-haired actor was twice nominated for an Academy Award for his role in “The Producers” and for co-writing “Young Frankenstein.” He won an Emmy for his appearances in the television series “Will and Grace.” Gene Wilder married Gilda Radner, his third wife, in 1984. They met on the set for film “Haunted Honeymoon” (pictured). Photo in public domain After the 1989 death of his third wife and fellow comedian Gilda Radner from ovarian cancer, Wilder helped found the Gilda Radner Ovarian Cancer Detection Center in Los Angeles. He is survived by his fourth wife, Karen Webb, whom he married in 1991. He breathed life & joy into everything he touched. Rest in peace, Gene Wilder. pic.twitter.com/r7ufUDbyMq — 20th Century Fox (@20thcenturyfox) August 29, 2016 A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
For anyone who’s heard the “Oompa Loompa” song or Frankenstein pronounced as “Fronkensteen,” Monday’s news of actor Gene Wilder’s death cuts deeply. Wilder died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at age 83, according to his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman. Wilder passed away in his hometown of Stamford, Connecticut, late Sunday, reported the Associated Press. He had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer that originates in the lymphatic system, in 1989. Gene Wilder stars with comedian Richard Pryor in the action comedy “Silver Streak”. Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images Wilder was born Jerome Silberman in Milwaukee and began studying acting at age 12. He started as a stage actor and later appeared in dozens of television shows and movies, including “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” in 1971 as the reclusive and slightly demented candy maker with his cadre of orange-faced Oompa Loompa assistants. Watch the trailer: In the 1974 Mel Brooks-directed comedy, “Young Frankenstein,” he played the life-regenerating scientist in denial of his infamous grandfather’s legacy. In a rare public appearance in 2013, he spoke about the movie and of working with Brooks: Wilder also starred in other Brooks classics, including 1968’s “The Producers” as an accountant trying to produce a Broadway flop, and in the 1974 western spoof “Blazing Saddles.” On Monday, Brooks tweeted about the loss 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 The wild-haired actor was twice nominated for an Academy Award for his role in “The Producers” and for co-writing “Young Frankenstein.” He won an Emmy for his appearances in the television series “Will and Grace.” Gene Wilder married Gilda Radner, his third wife, in 1984. They met on the set for film “Haunted Honeymoon” (pictured). Photo in public domain After the 1989 death of his third wife and fellow comedian Gilda Radner from ovarian cancer, Wilder helped found the Gilda Radner Ovarian Cancer Detection Center in Los Angeles. He is survived by his fourth wife, Karen Webb, whom he married in 1991. He breathed life & joy into everything he touched. Rest in peace, Gene Wilder. pic.twitter.com/r7ufUDbyMq — 20th Century Fox (@20thcenturyfox) August 29, 2016 A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now