Gene Wilder was an iconic American actor, comedian, writer and filmmaker remembered for his comedic roles, especially Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
Gene Wilder was an American actor, screenwriter, and director, best known for his comedic lead roles in films such as "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory", "Young Frankenstein", and "The Producers". As a prolific comedic film actor, Wilder earned multiple coveted awards throughout his career, including a BAFTA and Golden Globe.
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>1933</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Gene Wilder is Born</div><div class='timeline-text'>On June 11, 1933, Gene Wilder is born in Milwaukee, WI to parents Jeanne and William Wilder.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>1955</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Graduates from the University of Iowa</div><div class='timeline-text'>Wilder graduates from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater and English.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>1965</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>1st Broadway Role</div><div class='timeline-text'>Gene Wilder's first Broadway role was as Geroge Schneider in Neil Simon's "The Star-Spangled Girl."</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>1971</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Breakthrough Film Role</div><div class='timeline-text'>Gene Wilder stars in Mel Brooks' classic comedy "The Producers," which launched his film career.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>1974</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Won 1st Golden Globe Award</div><div class='timeline-text'>Gene Wilder won his first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance in "Young Frankenstein."</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>1976</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Starred in "Silver Streak"</div><div class='timeline-text'>Wilder starred opposite Richard Pryor in the caper comedy "Silver Streak."</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date'>2016</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Died at Age 83</div><div class='timeline-text'>Gene Wilder died on August 28, 2016 at the age of 83 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Started Acting Late in Life</h3><p class='facts-text'>Gene Wilder started his acting career late in life, at the age of 29. He had already had a successful career as a writer and director before then.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Early Film Roles Weren't Lead Parts</h3><p class='facts-text'>Gene Wilder's first film roles weren't lead parts, but rather supporting roles. His breakout role was as Leo Bloom in the classic comedy The Producers.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Took His Stage Name from a Poem</h3><p class='facts-text'>Gene Wilder's stage name came from a poem he read in high school called "The Ballad of Reading Gaol" by Oscar Wilde.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Co-wrote Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory</h3><p class='facts-text'>Gene Wilder co-wrote the screenplay for the classic movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory with the help of David Seltzer.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-heading'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5.</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Starred in Two Mel Brooks Films</h3><p class='facts-text'>Gene Wilder starred in two films directed by Mel Brooks - Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein - both of which are considered to be some of the best comedies of all time.</p></div></div>
Gene Wilder was an American movie actor born on June 11, 1933. Wilder was most famous for his comedic roles such as Willy Wonka (1971) and Dr. Frankenstein (1974). He passed away at the age of 83 in August of 2016.
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