Gene Wilder: R.I.P.

Such sad news. Gene Wilder, one of my heroes, passed away  at the age of 83. Mel Brooks, who directed Gene Wilder in some of his most iconic movie roles, mourned the actor's death today on Twitter. "Gene Wilder--One of the truly great talents of our time," Brooks wrote. "He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship." Wilder passed away after complications from Alzheimer's disease. Brooks and Wilder were nominated for an Academy Award for Young Frankenstein. For mystery fans, he'll definitely be remembered for The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother with Madeline Kahn and Marty Feldman.

This fabulous comedian starred in such gems as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, as well as several 'buddy' films with Richard Pryor. In addition to starring in several films, he also directed several, including The Woman in Red and Haunted Honeymoon with his then-wife the late Gilda Radner. He worked in television in the 60s and 70s, as well as later guest appearances on TV shows, and won an Emmy for a guest role on Will & Grace (2003). He also wrote and starred in the A&E mysteries The Lady in Question and Murder in a Small Town (1999). He also appeared as the Mock Turtle in an NBC adaptation of Alice in Wonderland.

Wilder’s memoir Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art was published in 2005. After that he wrote fiction--the 2007 novel My French Whore; 2008’s The Woman Who Wouldn’t; a collection of stories, What Is This Thing Called Love?, in 2010; and the novella Something to Remember You By: A Perilous Romance in 2013.

So sad....