Gene Wilder Passed Away!

Gene Wilder in his legendary role as Willy Wonka.

The entertainment world lost a very talented artist in comedy. The legendary Gene Wilder passed away today in Connecticut at the age of 83. Born Jerome Silberman in Milwaukee,

It was reported that he was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. He kept his conditions secret and retired from acting in 2003.

If you haven't heard of him, you better get to know him. He is most famous for playing Willy Wonka in the movie Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. It's based off the novel Charlie and The Chocolate Factory. The movie has a strong cult following and it spawned the Willy Wonka Candy Company soon after. Nestle owns the company.

Gene was also in the cult classics The Producers,Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles. These critically acclaimed movies were produced by legendary comedian/writer Mel Brooks.

Gene teamed up with Richard Pryor to make Silver Streak, Stir Crazy and See No Evil Hear No Evil.

He was married to famed comedian Gilda Radner. Radner a fellow comedian fell in love with him the moment she saw him on the movie set. They were married briefly.

Radner had suffered from stage IV ovarian cancer. Her doctors would not be able to save her and she died in 1989.

Gene was heartbroken and dedicated his life to charity. He would marry his acting coach who trained him to read lips. Gene played the role of a hearing impaired man in the See No Evil, Hear No Evil movie.

He would later marry Karen Boyer and the two would settle in Connecticut.

Gene was a talented actor, writer, painter and community activist.

He will be missed.