Fun
Frisky
Nostalgic
Intense
Adventurous
Choked Up
Curious
Romantic
Weird
Gene Wilder passed away today following a battle with first non-Hodgkins lymphoma and later Alzheimer’s disease. Wilder’s nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman released a statement that said in part, “The decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasn’t vanity, but more so that the countless young children that would smile or call out to him ‘there’s Willy Wonka,’ would not have to be then exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and causing delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion. He simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world.”
The 83 year-old actor, comedian, and one time Broadway star was beloved for iconic roles in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Young Frakenstein, The Producers, and more. Read on to find out where to stream some of Wilder’s most iconic works.
'Bonnie and Clyde' (1967)
Gene Wilder made his film debut with this 1967 classic where he played Eugene Grizzard. You may remember this character as Boonie and Clyde’s oddly amicable hostage. It’s through this small role that Wilder started to show us how talented he could be both comedically and dramatically.
'The Producers' (1967)
Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel first starred in the film version this iconic satirical musical. Directed by Wilder’s longtime directing partner Mel Brooks, The Producers tells the story of a theatrical producer and an accountant who want to produce a certified Broadway flop. This wasn’t just Wilder’s first Mel Brooks movie; it was the first film Brooks directed. It went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, and Wilder went on to win our hearts.
'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' (1971)
This is perhaps Wilder’s best known role, which is saying something for such an accomplished performer. This classic musical fantasy adaptation of Ronald Dahl’s children’s story quickly developed a cult following for its refreshingly dark balance of whimsy and sweetness. Willy Wonka has been argued to represent a shift in adult and children’s entertainment, paving the way for entertainment that appealed to both of these two very diverse audiences.
'Blazing Saddles' (1974)
Mel Brooks’ scathing satire of Westerns is a comedy that will go down in the history books. Written by Brooks, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor, Norman Steinberg, and Al Uger, this comedy sharply criticized racism through its absurdist style. Wilder played the recovering alcoholic and gunslinger Jim, the “Waco Kid.” Waco’s friendship with Sheriff Bart (Cleavon Little) is still worth talking about to this day.
'Young Frankenstein' (1974)
The Mel Brooks-directed 1974 horror comedy starred Wilder as Dr. Frankenstein, the grandson of the infamous scientist. When Frankenstein learns that he inherited his grandfather’s Transylvania estate he decides to go there and recreate his grandfather’s experiments, resulting in the creation of his very own monster.
'The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother' (1975)
Wilder plays Sigerson Holmes, the brother of well-known detective Sherlock Holmes. With Sherlock and Dr. Watson otherwise occupied, the lesser-known Holmes takes it upon himself to solve the case of missing government documents with the help of quasi-side kick Orville (Marty Feldman) and opera singer Jenny (Madeline Kahn).
[Where to watch The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother]
'Hanky Panky' (1982)
This 1982 thriller stars Wilder as New York based architect Michael. Sara (Kathleen Quinlan), a stranger Michael shares a cab with, convinces him to mail a package that contains, unbeknownst to him, secret military documents. After Sara is killed, Michael, who is pursued as a suspect, meets Kate (Gilda Radner) whose brother’s death is somehow connected to the package. It’s not the best film around, but it is important. This is the film where Wilder met and fell in love with Gilda Radner.
'Silver Streak' (1976)
George Caldwell (Wilder) is an overworked book editor on a cross-country train ride who has a whirlwind romance with a fellow passenger, Hilly (Jill Clayburgh). George’s nice vacation is quickly interrupted when he witnesses, and is later accused of, a murder. The real bad guys abduct Hilly, get George off the train, and force George to team up with a car thief (Richard Pryor) to rescue Hilly and stay one step ahead of the police.
