Popular Comic Actor, Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory) Dies At 83

                           Gene Wilder 

Sadly spreading is Gene Wilder, the famous actor who is  immortalized by his role as Willy Wonka, has died at age 83.

Gene Wilder, who established himself as one of America’s foremost comic actors with his delightfully neurotic performances in three films directed by Mel Brooks; his eccentric star turn in the family classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory”; and his winning chemistry with Richard Pryor in the box-office smash “Stir Crazy,” died early Monday morning at his home in Stamford, Conn. He was 83.

 A nephew, the filmmaker Jordan Walker-Pearlman, confirmed his death in a statement, saying the cause was complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

Mr. Wilder’s rule for comedy was simple: Don’t try to make it funny; try to make it real. “I’m an actor, not a clown,” he said more than once.

                 

After two previous marriages, Wilder famously married comic actress and original Saturday Night Live cast member Gilda Radner in 1984 after starring together in the Sidney Poitier-directed film Hanky Panky. They remained together until Radner’s death from ovarian cancer in 1989. He went on to co-found the nationwide Gilda’s Club support group network in her name.

                                    

  

Wilder is survived by his fourth wife, Karen Boyer, who he had been married to since 1991, along with one nephew.