GENE WILDER

Born Jerome Silberman on June 11, 1933, renowned actor Gene Wilder rose to fame for his role as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in 1971. He was also popular for his numerous talents- he could sing, dance, act, and write. Gene was at his prime when he collaborated with Mel Brooks in films such as Young Frankenstein (1974) and Blazing Saddles (1974), which became American classics.

His lead role as Leopold Bloom in the 1967 film The Producers led to an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Gene’s last show appearance was as a guest in Will & Grace, for which he bagged an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor. He also received several successful writing credits. The famed actor died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease in 2016 at age 83. He kept his condition private, but it was revealed that he was diagnosed three years before his demise.