Legendary actor Gene Wilder has passed away at age 83.
Mr. Wilder was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as Jerome Silberman. (He began using the name Gene Wilder in his acting career at age 26.) He began his professional acting career after a stint in the army, studying under Lee Strasberg and getting accepted into the famed Actors Studio. Gene began touring the country as part of an acting troupe when he met Anne Bamcroft, who introduced him to her husband Mel Brooks. Years later, Mel called Gene to offer him his first big theatrical role- that of Leo Bloom in the comedy classic The Producers. It would be the first of many collaborations between the two legends.
Gene would go on to accept the role that would make him beloved by children around the world- that of Willy Wonka. He had originally declined the role, but later changed his mind. He agreed to make the film as long as he could make his grand entrance with a cane and limp, only to surprise everyone with an acrobatic somersault. Producers agreed and he made cinematic history.
In addition to his collaborations with Mel Brooks, Gene also began a comedic partnership with Richard Pryor, appearing in several films with his fellow legend. During this period he would also meet and marry Gilda Radner, becoming a legendary comedic duo. Sadly, he would lose Gilda to cancer in 1989.
Gene then went into semi-retirement, raising money for cancer research and opening support centers for women seeking help with their cancer fights. A true legend, he will never be forgotten by his millions of fans.
