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Gene Wilder was one of the greats in acting and comedy, best known for his portrayal of an iconic character.
Wilder’s first screen role was a hostage in the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. He soon rose in fame, and got his first major role as Leopard Bloom in the 1968 film The Producers, and was nominated for an Academy Award. Wilder may be best known for his portrayal of Willie Wonka in the 1971 film Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, which was not popular in its own time but later came to be regarded as a movie classic.
Wilder later took the main roles in the successful movies Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein in 1974, getting an Academy Award nomination with writer/director Mel Brooks. The 1976 film Silver Streak and 1980 film Stir Crazy were also successful. Wilder made is last appearance on screen in 2003 as a guest actor in Will and Grace and then created novels, releasing his last one in 2013.
Gene Wilder died on August 29, 2016 due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease, but his legacy lives on. Wilder did much to make the movie industry enjoyable.