One Of The Stars Of "The Funniest Movie Ever Made" Has Died
NEW YORK -- Gene Wilder, the star of such comedy classics as “Young Frankenstein” and “Blazing Saddles,” has died. He was 83.
Wilder’s nephew said Monday that the actor and writer died earlier this month in Stamford, Connecticut from complications from Alzheimer’s disease. The exact date of his passing was not specified.
- The frizzy-haired actor was a master at playing panicked characters caught up in schemes that only a madman such as Mel Brooks could devise, whether reviving a monster in “Young Frankenstein” or bilking Broadway in “The Producers.”
But he also knew how to keep it cool as the boozy sheriff in “Blazing Saddles” and as the charming candy man in the children’s favorite “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.” Just this week, Brooks had made his case to Vanity Fair that “Blazing Saddles” was the funniest movie ever made.
Wilder developed a special onscreen relationship with “Blazing Saddles” co-writer Richard Pryor, going on to co-star with him in a series of films including “Stir Crazy” and “See No Evil, Hear No Evil.”
Wilder was married four times. His most famous relationship was with “Saturday Night Live” vet Gilda Radner, to whom he was married from 1984 until her death from cancer in 1989. Following Radner’s passing, he married Karen Boyer in 1991.
His collaborations with Mel Brooks in three films , The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein have put him into the comedy history books.
sad to hear, they would never be able to make blazing saddles today, and he didn't play the "Sheriff" that was Cleavon Little( I think) , gene played the gunslinger friend of the sheriff that had the shakey gun hand.
"TELLIGRAM FOR MONGO..."
rest in peace sir, and thanks for the laughs.
RIP Gene, you gave me many a laugh.
Ah man, what a bummer. I still pull out blazing saddles when nothing else works,,,one of the funniest men ever.
RIP Gene.
:~(
His dedication to Gilda and the cause she represented was as noteworthy as his comedic successes.
Thanks for the memories (as Bob Hope used to say).
I'm so sad to hear this! He was a lovely man!
Many a laugh to be had when watching his movies-- and I really admired his devotion to dear Gilda Radnor. I'm glad he remarried so he wasn't alone forever, and I know he did his best by her. Gilda would have been pleased at his devotion to her "cause". Ovarian cancer is still a death sentence, although it has gotten more treatable through time... Still praying for a cure!
Oompa Loompas:
Oompa Loompa doompadee hue
I've got another puzzle for you
Oompa Loompa doompadah dee
If you are wise you'll listen to me
What do you get from a glut of TV?
A pain in the neck and an IQ of three
Why don't you try simply reading a book?
Or could you just not bear to look?
You'll get no
You'll get no
You'll get no
You'll get no
You'll get no commercials
Oompa Loompa Doompadee Dah
If you're not greedy you will go far
You will live in happiness too
Like the Oompa
Oompa Loompa doompadee do
Sorry to hear this, he was delightful to watch.
One of the most entertaining versions of this old standard was in "Young Frankenstein" :
hahahahaha Great scene! Thanks for posting Petey
A few years ago I posted this article about Gene Wilder on the Classic Cinema group. I note that the photos didn't come up for me now, but perhaps they do for you. It is noteworthy that his mother died from ovarian cancer long before he married Gilda. In other words he had to witness a double dose of it suffered by his loved ones - no wonder he created and devoted himself to "Gilda's Club".