Gene Wilder, one of America’s foremost comic actors died early Monday morning at his home in Stamford, Conn aged 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.
He was best known for his role in the fantasy film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” and comedic star turns in such Mel Brooks farces as “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein,” died on Monday at age 83, his family said in a statement.