Gene Wilder

Gene Wilder (Jerome Silberman; June 11, 1933 – August 29, 2016) was an American actor, author, comedian, director and screenwriter. He was most famous for his acting work and in particular for the movies he made with Mel Brooks which include "The Producers", "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein". He also played the part of Willy Wonka in the musical movie "Willy Wonka &amp; the Chocolate Factory".
Wilder studied Communication and Theatre Arts at the University of Iowa.
Wilder was drafted into the Army on September 10, 1956.
An unauthorized biography of Wilder called "Gene Wilder: Funny and Sad" by Brian Scott Mednick was published in December 2010 by BearManor Media.
Wilder died from Alzheimer's disease on August 29, 2016 in Stamford, Connecticut at age 83.