- [Interviewer] Gene Wilder can say things like, "What I've been striving for is to be simple but deep.

"So far I've got it half down, the simple."

- Yes, that's right.

I'm working on the deep now.

(laughs) - [Interviewer] Why do you suppress the deep?

- Oh... (dramatic classical music) I don't know if you ever heard of me before.

(film slate clacks) I think I wanted to be someone else, not that guy.

- [Interviewer] Mel Brooks has said of you that you're a vulnerable everyman.

- Yes, I liked him immediately and he worked for $1.80.

(audience laughing) - [Jordan] Gene was my uncle and he really hadn't opened up since the 1970s.

So I was hired to do an interview with him.

- And try to keep up with you.

- And it's never been seen before.

- Hit it!

(electricity zapping) - [Jordan] I wanted Gene to see how much of himself he was willing to put on screen.

- [Gene] Who am I as this character?

What can I use of myself to make this character come alive?

- We liked each other instantly, genuinely.

- Are they watching us?

- Yes, they're watching.

It's on film.

Gene Wilder.

- First appearance ever together?

First one with touching.

- With touching, yeah.

- Where are you cutting this?

(interviewer laughs) (dramatic music) - My uncle's comedy was a very emotional sacrifice because it's real.

(dramatic music) - [Interviewer] How much of your comedy comes out of pain that really goes back?

- You're getting into heavy stuff now, so be careful.

But I wanted to express a feeling that was going on in my heart.

- Cut!

(both laughing) - [Gene] As it happens, it's a comedy.

(sheep bleats) But we were all searching for love.

(Mel smacking lips) - But I'm not here.

- I think I wanted to be an actor because I felt I was freer than I was in real life.

Wahoo!

Can you imagine all the things you would do in that make believe situation?

(bright orchestral music) Be very careful what you want, because you might get it.

(dramatic music) (light upbeat music)