Gene Wilder dead at 83

US actor Gene Wilder, remembered by many for his namesake role in

Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, has died at the age of 83

Rest In Peace

The comic actor also starred in classic films such as :

The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein .

Oscar-nominated actor was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1989.

His nephew confirmed the actor died on Sunday in Stamford, Connecticut,

due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.

       

Gene Wilder passed away at the age of 83 on Sunday night due to complications from Alzheimer's disease. According to a statement from his family, the actor chose to keep it secret so as not to expose children to the harsh realities of his disease. Wilder did not want to disappoint “the countless young children that would smile or call out to him, ‘There’s Willy Wonka,'" a statement from his family read.

Love his movies, especially the ones with Richard Pryor plus of course the classic, Blazing Saddles!  Thanks for the laugh and entertainment! God bless and RIP!

The child stars who played Augustus Gloop, Veruca Salt and Violet Beauregarde :

pay tribute !

Willy Wonka and the golden ticket winners  8)
 

I was so sad to hear this news yesterday, and he really was a great man and he will be missed.  Young Frankenstein is one of my all time favorites, and it is a Halloween staple in our household.  WE watch it every year, and it never gets old.  I am not a big Charlie and Chocolate Factory fan, but he was certainly great at playing the part so memorably.  He will be missed.