Celebrities React to Gene Wilder’s Death
News of actor Gene Wilder’s death spread quickly through Hollywood, with stars taking to Twitter to pay their respects to the comedy legend.
Wilder was best know for his role as Willy Wonka in the 1971 big screen version of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” He had memorable roles in Mel Brooks’ films “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles,” and “Young Frankenstein.”
According to his nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, Wilder died from complications from Alzheimer’s disease at his home in Stamford, Conn. He was 83 years old. Walker-Pearlman described his final moments:
“He was eighty-three and passed holding our hands with the same tenderness and love he exhibited as long as I can remember. As our hands clutched and he performed one last breath the music speaker, which was set to random, began to blare out one of his favorites: Ella Fitzgerald. There is a picture of he and Ella meeting at a London Bistro some years ago that are among each or cherished possessions. She was singing “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” as he was taken away.”
Read some of the touching tributes to the actor below.
Longtime collaborator Mel Brooks said he was “blessed” to work with Wilder.
Gene Wilder-One of the truly great talents of our time. He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) August 29, 2016
Wilder also played Will Truman’s boss on “Will & Grace” in 2003, his last role. Actor Eric McCormack called him a “genius.”
A genius I stole from constantly, and one I was humbled & thrilled to work with. RIP #GeneWilder pic.twitter.com/hCFyET1jji
— Eric McCormack (@EricMcCormack) August 29, 2016
A man who lit up the world with his joy and genius. I can't say what it meant to act with him and get to know his heart. ❤️RIP #GeneWilder
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) August 29, 2016
Wilder’s “Sunday Lovers” costar Roger Moore reminisced:
RIP Gene Wilder. Only happy memories of making Sunday Lovers together.
— Sir Roger Moore (@sirrogermoore) August 29, 2016
Fellow comedians praised Wilder’s talent as well.
#GeneWilder Au revoir to a gifted actor whose films I suggest you re-visit if you want to be thoroughly entertained. pic.twitter.com/FgcO4OVkYg
— carl reiner (@carlreiner) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder was one of the funniest and sweetest energies ever to take a human form. If there's a heaven he has a Golden Ticket. ;^)
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 29, 2016
R.I.P Gene Wilder. As funny as they come.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder was the best.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) August 29, 2016
No, not Gene Wilder. Rest in peace.
— Ben Falcone (@benfalcone) August 29, 2016
RIP legend Willy Wonka star Gene Wilder dies aged 83 https://t.co/5EE6lW2m9j
— Tom Green (@tomgreenlive) August 29, 2016
RIP Gene Wilder. You will be missed. Say hello to Gilda and Richard for us. #EverLastingGobstopper pic.twitter.com/XAWAd9FU9A
— Orlando Jones (@TheOrlandoJones) August 29, 2016
RIP to the legendary Gene Wilder. 2016 has been painful so far. pic.twitter.com/7nbqY7Unva
— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) August 29, 2016
"Good Day Sir!"
RIP Gene Wilder— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 29, 2016
RIP to a true original and one of the all time greats Gene Wilder. I loved him. https://t.co/RdupcfKk7V
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) August 29, 2016
There's a big hole in Comedy's heart with the loss of Gene Wilder today. RIP Willy Wonka.
— Larry Wilmore (@larrywilmore) August 29, 2016
Dear Gene Wilder,
I wish I had written to you sooner. You made me laugh. I will miss you.— Paula Poundstone (@paulapoundstone) August 29, 2016
"We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams." – Willy Wonka
RIP Gene Wilder your performances filled my childhood with joy.— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder was a giant of comedy. His legacy of films is inspiring. A true genius..
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) August 29, 2016
RIP dear, wonderful Gene Wilder. What an influence you were in my life. Thank you for all that joy. https://t.co/vzheeZCGLz
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) August 29, 2016
R.I.P Gene Wilder. As funny as they come.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) August 29, 2016
“Orange is the New Black” star Uzo Aduba called him “the genius” and “the talent” among many other accolades, sentiments other stars echoed:
The genius, the talent, the actor, the original, the artist, the storyteller, the creative, the iconic, the great, great, great Gene Wilder.
— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder–
There are no words–
Artist
Inspirer
and
Hilarious
just
Brilliantly brilliant— Jeffrey Tambor (@jeffreytambor) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder passed away. Wow, what a lovely career. Wonka, Dr. Frankenstein, Jim the Waco Kid… Gilda Radner must be giddy right now. #RIP
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) August 29, 2016
This guy made me laugh a lot! Laughter is a gift. Thank you Gene. #genewilder https://t.co/1i5y9phFrJ
— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) August 29, 2016
Thank you Gene Wilder for the wonderful, the weird, the pure imagination. One of my greatest heroes.
— josh groban (@joshgroban) August 29, 2016
GENE WILDER, the face of childhood joy for many a generation, has passed. Farewell, sweet genius. Gilda awaits you. https://t.co/pybXNFlGaq
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder, rest in peace knowing you gave us all the golden ticket to imagination.
🦄
— Gina Rodriguez (@HereIsGina) August 29, 2016
He was always able to make us smile, and that is no small feat. Rest with the stars, Gene Wilder. pic.twitter.com/kxis66bIGd
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 29, 2016
ADORED the work of Gene Wilder
Now w/another FAVE Cleavon Little—So Heaven just got a lot funnier #BlazingSaddlespic.twitter.com/QB46rm1NRq— Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) August 29, 2016
I saw Blazing Saddles 7 times at the cinema with my school friends . George St. Cows outside.
Gene Wilder you were a genius. Rest in Peace.— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) August 29, 2016
I just bought a vintage Blazing Saddles poster. 3 days ago. Gene Wilder made my ❤️ dance – you bad, and now may you rest in peace.
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder passed away. Wow, what a lovely career. Wonka, Dr. Frankenstein, Jim the Waco Kid… Gilda Radner must be giddy right now. #RIP
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) August 29, 2016
Just heard about Gene Wilder one of my all time favs…You youngsters that don't know his work,go now and watch genius. #RIPGENEWILDER
— Balthazar Getty (@BaltGetty) August 29, 2016
Rest well #GeneWilder Thanks for the laughs!! #stircrazy #willywonka
— Deborah Cox (@Deborah_Cox) August 29, 2016
A moment of silence for the master of the comedic pause.
Gene Wilder: funny doing something & funny doing nothing. pic.twitter.com/d5iySZVll6— edgarwright (@edgarwright) August 29, 2016
gene wilder i love you with all my heart
— Flea (@flea333) August 29, 2016
R.I.P to the incomparable Gene Wilder. You filled so many childhoods, mine included, with wonder, laughter & joy. Thank you.
— Zelda Williams (@zeldawilliams) August 29, 2016
really sad about gene wilder. willy wonka will forever be one of the movies i love the most and get the most hope from.
— Jennette McCurdy (@jennettemccurdy) August 29, 2016
Very said to hear this news Comic genius #willywonka #youngfrankenstein #blazingsaddles⚡️ “Gene Wilder dies at 83”https://t.co/om3q9mFOZy
— Rocco DiSpirito (@roccodispirito) August 29, 2016
Rest in Peace, Gene Wilder…
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) August 29, 2016
Here's to Gene Wilder, an incomparable talent whose smile & life's work made the world brighter. You will be missed but never forgotten.
— Mayor of Los Angeles (@MayorOfLA) August 29, 2016
Rest in Peace Gene Wilder, passed today 83 years old. He made all our lives a little sweeter https://t.co/Ov7ZNNNzkl pic.twitter.com/DtSOLlUzWY
— Martha Quinn (@MarthaQuinn) August 29, 2016
RIP #GeneWilder absolute master. Brilliant in so many ways. His life's work is timeless and everlasting. pic.twitter.com/hYHYk8hm4h
— John Cena (@JohnCena) August 29, 2016
So many great Gene Wilder films. But I must've seen Stir Crazy a hundred times as a kid#RIP #GreatTalent pic.twitter.com/ajnp7CS8bE
— Mario Lopez (@MarioLopezExtra) August 29, 2016
RIP Gene Wilder – truly one of the greatest! pic.twitter.com/shNEkvDshP
— Michael Buckley (@buckhollywood) August 29, 2016
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