Online Encyclopedia
Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder (born Jerome Silberman on June 11, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American actor best known for his collaborations with writer, producer, director Mel Brooks. Gene Wilder made many movies with Brooks starting with The Producers in 1968. He was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role in The Producers. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing Young Frankenstein with Mel Brooks.
His first big part was in Bonnie and Clyde where he played an undertaker abducted by the couple.
Perhaps one of his best known roles is that of Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
In the late 1970s and 1980s he appeared in a number of movies with Richard Pryor, making them the most prolific inter-racial comedy double act in movies during the period.
Wilder was married to Saturday Night Live actress Gilda Radner from 1984 until her death from ovarian cancer in 1989. Since then he has remained active in promoting cancer awareness and treatment. Wilder himself was hospitalized with cancer in 2000.
Partial Filmography
- Silver Streak (1976)
- Young Frankenstein (1974)
- Blazing Saddles (1974)
- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
- The Producers (1968)
- Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
External link
- Filmography at the Internet Movie Database http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000698/