Gene Wilder has passed away at 83

Beloved actor Gene Wilder, perhaps best known for his performance as Willy Wonka in the classic children’s film Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory, but also for his hilarious work in 70s comedies like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, has passed away at his home in Stamford, Connecticut. He was 83 years old.

Wilder’s nephew issued a thoughtful and poignant statement about his uncle’s death revealing that he suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and also why they chose not to disclose it to the public until after his passing. Wilder had been married for 25 years to his fourth wife, Karen Boyer. 

His third wife, comedian Gilda Radner, passed away from ovarian cancer in 1989, with Wilder carrying on her legacy through Gilda’s Club, which raises awareness and support for cancer sufferers with branches through the US. Wilder was diagnosed with non-Hodkin’s lymphoma in 1989.