Gene Wilder’s Most Memorable Roles

Comedy legend Gene Wilder passed away late Sunday night at age 83 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Take a look back at his most memorable roles throughout his career, which spanned over four decades.

The Producers (1968)

Mel Brooks’ The Producers marked Wilder’s first major film role. He earned an Academy Award Best Supporting Actor nomination for his role as accountant Leo Bloom.

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

In one of his most iconic roles, Wilder plays candy factory owner Willy Wonka in the 1971 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel. Wilder also does a bit of singing in the film, including the track “Pure Imagination.”

Blazing Saddles (1974)

In Mel Brooks’ Western satire classic Blazing Saddles, Wilder portrayed Jim, the Waco Kid, who is a recovering alcoholic.

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Wilder is Dr. Victor Frankenstein in the horror comedy Young Frankenstein, which parodied other horror films of its time. The screenplay was penned by Wilder and Mel Brooks, and the pair received on Oscar nomination for Best Writing Adapted Screenplay.

Silver Streak (1976)

Wilder earned a Golden Globe Best Actor (Comedy/Musical) nomination for the thriller-comedy Silver Streak. It was his first film with Richard Pryor. The two would go on to work together in three more films.

Stir Crazy (1980)

In Sir Sidney Poitier’s Stir Crazy, Wilder takes on the role of a prison inmate who has been framed for a bank robbery.

See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989)

Wilder only agreed to take on the role of a deaf man Dave Lyons in See No Evil, Hear No Evil after re-writing the script. In preparing for the role, he met speech pathologist Karen Webb who he would wed in 1991 and remain married to until his death.

Another You (1991)

Another You was Wilder’s final role in a theatrically released film. After this film, Wilder focused on TV movies and appearances.

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