Willy Wonka star dies aged 83 following a battle with Alzheimer’s, the legendary actor’s family announce
WILLY Wonka star Gene Wilder has died aged 83, his family have announced.
The Oscar-nominated actor died at his home in Stamford, Connecticut, on Sunday following a battle with Alzheimer's disease, his nephew said.
The American starred in hits Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein - and was handed an Academy Award nomination for the latter.
He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor in 1968 film The Producers.
But it was the cult 1971 adaption of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory for which Wilder will be best remembered.
Milwuakee-born Wilder played zany chocolate factory owner Willy Wonka - who invites a small group of youngsters to experience his Ooompa Loompa-run plant.
The actor was key to bringing many of Wonka's eccentricities to screen - insisting on how the chocolate maker should first appear on screen.
In a letter to director Mel Stuart, he said: "When I make my first entrance, I’d like to come out of the door carrying a cane and then walk toward the crowd with a limp.
“After the crowd sees Willy Wonka is a cripple, they all whisper to themselves and then become deathly quiet.
Statement from Gene Wilder's family following his death
It is with indescribable sadness and blues, but with spiritual gratitude for the life lived that I announce the passing of husband, parent and universal artist Gene Wilder, at his home in Stamford, Connecticut.
It is almost unbearable for us to contemplate our life without him.
The cause was complications from Alzheimer's Disease with which he co-existed for the last three years. The choice to keep this private was his choice, in talking with us and making a decision as a family.
We understand for all the emotional and physical challenges this situation presented we have been among the lucky ones - the illness-pirate, unlike in so many cases, never stole his ability to recognise those that were closest to him, nor took command of his central-gentle-life affirming core personality.
It took enough but not that.
The decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasn't vanity, but more so that the countless young children would smile or call out to him 'there's Willy Wonka,' would not have to be then exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and causing delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion.
He simply couldn't bear the idea of one less smile in the world.
He continued to enjoy art, music, and kissing his leading lady of the last twenty-five years, Karen. He danced down a church aisle at a wedding as parent of the groom and ring bearer, held countless afternoon movie western marathons and delighted in the company of beloved ones.
He is survived by Karen[wife], Jordan [nephew] and the Webbs (Kevin, Gretchen, Tucker, Spencer)[wife's family], along with Jordan's wife Elizabeth. Gene's sister Corinne, predeceased him in January of this year.
He was eighty three and passed holding our hands with the same tenderness and love he exhibited as long as I can remember.
As our hands clutched and he performed one last breath, the music speaker, which was set to random, began to blare out one of his favorites: Ella Fitzgerald.
There is a picture of he and Ella meeting at a London Bistro some years ago that are among each oUr cherished possessions. She was singing 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow,' as he was taken away'.
'We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.'
"As I walk toward them, my cane sinks into one of the cobblestones I’m walking on and stands straight up, by itself; but I keep on walking, until I realise that I no longer have my cane.
"I start to fall forward, and just before I hit the ground, I do a beautiful forward somersault and bounce back up, to great applause.
“From that time on, no one will know if I’m lying or telling the truth."
The scene would go on to become one of the classic movie's most iconic moments.
He later worked with writer and director Mel Brooks several times, including on hits Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.
Brooks, 90, wrote on Twitter this evening: "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."
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Wilder also forged a successful partnership with actor and comedian Richard Pryor throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s in films Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, See No Evil, Hear No Evil, and Another You.
He is survived by daughter Kathryn, who he adopted in 1967, and wife Karen Boyer.
Wilder - who was married four times - successfully fought off non-Hodgkins lymphoma after being diagnosed with the cancer in 1989.
His first two marriages - to Mary Mercier and Mary Joan Schut - ended in divorce.
But his third marriage to actress Gila Radner would see Wilder hit by tragedy when she died of cancer aged just 42 in 1989.
A raft of stars took to social media to pay tribute to Wilder as the news emerged this evening.
Gladiator star Russell Crowe wrote: "I saw Blazing Saddles 7 times at the cinema with my school friends. George St. Cows outside.
"Gene Wilder you were a genius. Rest in Peace."
While Brit comedian Ricky Gervais said: "Good Day Sir!" RIP Gene Wilder."
Canadian actor Jim Carrey tweeted: "Gene Wilder was one of the funniest and sweetest energies ever to take a human form. If there's a heaven he has a Golden Ticket."
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