Gene Wilder

Movie Actor

Gene Wilder was an American actor, comedian, writer and filmmaker known for his comedic roles and Willy Wonka.

Full Name

Birthday

Jun 11, 1933

Age

Born

United States

Birth Sign

Gemini

Relationship

Height

5′ 10″

Net Worth

Death Date

August 29, 2016

About

Gene Wilder was an American actor best known for his comedic roles in films such as Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, The Producers, Young Frankenstein, and Blazing Saddles. His unique brand of humor and memorable performances earned him legions of fans around the world.

Life Timeline

<div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1933</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Gene Wilder is Born</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>On June 11, 1933, Gene Wilder is born in Milwaukee, WI to parents Jeanne and William Wilder.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1955</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Graduates from the University of Iowa</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Wilder graduates from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater and English.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1965</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>1st Broadway Role</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Gene Wilder's first Broadway role was as Geroge Schneider in Neil Simon's "The Star-Spangled Girl."</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1971</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Breakthrough Film Role</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Gene Wilder stars in Mel Brooks' classic comedy "The Producers," which launched his film career.</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1974</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Won 1st Golden Globe Award</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>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><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>1976</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Starred in "Silver Streak"</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Wilder starred opposite Richard Pryor in the caper comedy "Silver Streak."</div></div></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_item_2'><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1cb-6675e3f8' class='timeline_left'><div id='' class='timeline_date-text-4'>2016</div></div><div id='w-node-_710bfc84-4b40-5011-fd32-beffa643a1ce-6675e3f8' class='timeline_centre'><div id='' class='timeline_circle-4'></div></div><div id='' class='timeline_right'><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5 timeline_text_title'>Died at Age 83</div></div><div id='' class='margin-bottom-medium'><div id='' class='timeline_text-5'>Gene Wilder died on August 28, 2016 at the age of 83 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.</div></div></div></div>

Why We Love Them

<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">A.</span> He's a Great Actor</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Gene Wilder was an incredibly talented actor who could bring any character to life. His performances in movies like Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein were absolutely legendary.</p></div>

<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">B.</span> He was Always Fun to Watch</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Gene Wilder always brought an element of fun and humor to his movies. He had an incredible ability to make us laugh while also tugging at our heartstrings when necessary. He was one of the most unique and beloved movie stars of all time.</p></div>

<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">C.</span> He was a True Icon</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Gene Wilder is remembered as a true icon of Hollywood. His movies have stood the test of time, and he will always be remembered for his unique style and unique performances. His legacy will live on for many years to come.</p></div>

Interesting Facts

<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>

01 Started Out as a Writerading

Before becoming an actor, Morgan Freeman worked as a screenwriter. He wrote scripts for The Electric Company and another children's show called Sesame Street.

05 Was Arrested for DUI

In 2008, Morgan Freeman was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was released after several hours and later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.