General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA tribute to Gene Wilder 1933 - 2016
Gene Wilder Dies at 83; Star of 'Willy Wonka and Young Frankenstein
By DANIEL LEWISAUG. 29, 2016
Gene Wilder, who established himself as one of Americas 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 on Sunday night at his home in Stamford, Conn. He was 83.
Eric Weissmann, who was Mr. Wilders lawyer for many years, confirmed the death. A nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, said that the cause was complications of Alzheimers disease.
Mr. Wilders rule for comedy was simple: Dont try to make it funny; try to make it real. Im an actor, not a clown, he said more than once.
With his haunted blue eyes and an empathy born of his own history of psychic distress, he aspired to touch audiences much as Charlie Chaplin had. The Chaplin film City Lights, he said, had made the biggest impression on me as an actor; it was funny, then sad, then both at the same time. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/30/movies/gene-wilder-dead.html?_r=0
This announcement came after children were in school, because of his role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory; but all his movies weren't for children. Here are a few cuts from BLAZING SADDLES, which dealt with alcoholism and racial equality.
uponit7771
(90,347 posts)... were in Germany on base and racism wasn't as overt there as it was in the states.
To Kill A Mockingbird didn't exactly work, but Blazing Saddles is something we looked at often...
lol
The Sheriff is NEAR !!!!
lol
Jeffersons Ghost
(15,235 posts)On the East Coast of the USA and in some other nations, children are already crying.
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,005 posts)malaise
(269,054 posts)montana_hazeleyes
(3,424 posts)niyad
(113,340 posts)niyad
(113,340 posts)napkinz
(17,199 posts)Lithos
(26,403 posts)I enjoyed his movies and his writing. He was a great actor, with excellent timing and sense, able to work the hardest genre of all - comedy, but not limited to just it. Among my favorite characters was his "Cash" detective series, unfortunately only limited to two movies.
Thank you sir for some excellent moments. Peace to you and your family.
L-
Jeffersons Ghost
(15,235 posts)I am alone, except for those who care, at Democratic Underground.
Lithos
(26,403 posts)I was being wistful in my thoughts towards Mr. Wilder and my memory towards him.
L-
Jeffersons Ghost
(15,235 posts)alterfurz
(2,474 posts)...wait a minute! Strike that, reverse it. Thank you. -- Willy Wonka