Willy Wonka is dead.

RIP Gene Wilder.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37215553

"US actor Gene Wilder, remembered by many for his lead role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, has died at the age of 83, his family confirmed.

The comic actor also starred in classic films such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.

Mr Wilder frequently collaborated with writer and director Mel Brooks as well as stand-up comedian Richard Pryor.

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

Mr Wilder's nephew confirmed the actor died on Sunday in Stamford, Connecticut, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease."

What a shame. RIP. The best Charlie by far x

What a shame. RIP. The best Charlie by far x

He died at his home in Stamford, Connecticut on Monday



Gene Wilder, the star of Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory and Mel Brooks comedies, died on Monday, his family announced. He was 83.
Wilder passed away at his Samford, Connecticut home after suffering complications from Alzheimer’s disease, his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman told reporters.
The actor, producer, and writer was diagnosed with the disease three years ago, but did not make his condition public, Mr Walker-Pearlman said in a statement.
In 1989, Wilder was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The fuzzy-haired, celebrated comedian began his acting career on the stage, but became known by millions after appearing in classics such as Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and The Producers.


More at:



http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/gene-wilder-star-of-willy-wonka-dead-at-83-a7215686.html#gallery


RIP, a comic genius and someone who gave me much laughter.  I just loved every one of his films.

Seems we have two threads posted together, can a mod sort it out please, ta

Already a thread on this, perhaps a mod could merge?

I remember him as a character called 'Quakster' in a film ages ago....I cant remember the film title or the plot really....I do remember Quakster went round the streets selling horse muck, doesn't sound it , but it was funny.

He had a lovely face....and in interviews he always seemed a gentle soul.

Syl wrote:I remember him as a character called 'Quakster' in a film ages ago....I cant remember the film title or the plot really....I do remember Quakster went round the streets selling horse muck, doesn't sound it , but it was funny.

He had a lovely face....and in interviews he always seemed a gentle soul.

He did. I loved the stuff he did with Richard Pryor too

Syl wrote:RIP Gene Wilder.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37215553

"US actor Gene Wilder, remembered by many for his lead role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, has died at the age of 83, his family confirmed.

The comic actor also starred in classic films such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.

Mr Wilder frequently collaborated with writer and director Mel Brooks as well as stand-up comedian Richard Pryor.

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

Mr Wilder's nephew confirmed the actor died on Sunday in Stamford, Connecticut, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease."

Sorry Syl, was posting the same info when you posted this, didn't see it until I'd posted so have asked for it to be sorted.

He was hilarious, loved every film he made, he had that crazy gene, which made his name utterly relevant.

Miffs2 wrote:

Syl wrote:I remember him as a character called 'Quakster' in a film ages ago....I cant remember the film title or the plot really....I do remember Quakster went round the streets selling horse muck, doesn't sound it , but it was funny.

He had a lovely face....and in interviews he always seemed a gentle soul.

He did. I loved the stuff he did with Richard Pryor too

They were a brilliant double act.
Richard Pryer suffered from MS and heart trouble...sadly he died at age 65, no age really.

Syl wrote:

Miffs2 wrote:
He did. I loved the stuff he did with Richard Pryor too

They were a brilliant double act.
Richard Pryer suffered from MS and heart trouble...sadly he died at age 65, no age really.

No age at all

sassy wrote:

Syl wrote:RIP Gene Wilder.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37215553

"US actor Gene Wilder, remembered by many for his lead role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, has died at the age of 83, his family confirmed.

The comic actor also starred in classic films such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.

Mr Wilder frequently collaborated with writer and director Mel Brooks as well as stand-up comedian Richard Pryor.

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

Mr Wilder's nephew confirmed the actor died on Sunday in Stamford, Connecticut, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease."

Sorry Syl, was posting the same info when you posted this, didn't see it until I'd posted so have asked for it to be sorted.

He was hilarious, loved every film he made, he had that crazy gene, which made his name utterly relevant.

We posted about the same time Sassy.....great minds.

Yes, very sad to see him go. He was a part of that group of comedians that came along with Mel Brooks. But for me he was distinct, and I liked him independent of Blazing Saddles, and other Brooks productions.

Loved him in Silver Streak, with Richard Prior.

Original Quill wrote:Yes, very sad to see him go.  He was a part of that group of comedians that came along with Mel Brooks.  But for me he was distinct, and I liked him independent of Blazing Saddles, and other Brooks productions.  

Loved him in Silver Streak, with Richard Prior.

One of the last times he'd made a public appearance
doing this Q & A with his wife in 11/23/2012 


I didn't see one of his movies that I didn't watch over again
& again ...but my favorite still is 'Young Frankenstein'; that
was a fantastic group of actors and such a funny - best written
scrip with lots of things you just have to be watching for - tricks
of the eye going on behind the actors in every scene.

Sad, he came across as a decent sort.

I could not name a movie he was in.

I saw one he was in with Harrison Ford, where he was a rabbi in the Old West trying to get to San Francisco. Just an awful movie, but everything else I saw him in was either great or at least really entertaining.

No one could have played Wonka like Wilder.

Great actor.

Syl wrote:RIP Gene Wilder.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37215553

"US actor Gene Wilder, remembered by many for his lead role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, has died at the age of 83, his family confirmed.

The comic actor also starred in classic films such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.

Mr Wilder frequently collaborated with writer and director Mel Brooks as well as stand-up comedian Richard Pryor.

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

Mr Wilder's nephew confirmed the actor died on Sunday in Stamford, Connecticut, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease."

My Willy died quite a while ago but I didn't call it Wonker LMAO.
He reached 83 so that was a good innings for most of us and he was rich so could have got any pain killers he ever needed when he needed.
Dont worry about him. If there is a better place he's found it by now and if a worse place he's found that place.
I wont and dont know but I believe when you go there is nothing except relief from the pain of something hurting you or life itself when the pain really
stops being just something a few tablets can make a bit better for you to ease the pain.
Dont ever think the pain gets better as it almost cripples you most days.

RIP

Those piercing blue eyes!!!!

SEXY MAMA wrote:RIP

Those piercing blue eyes!!!!

And brown nose lol!

Did some funny films.

Major wrote:Sad, he came across as a decent sort.

I could not name a movie he was in.

You didn't tell me Ed was in charge or if a male or female.
You knew id be in trouble fast though for answering back though.
I'll have to think of a way of dropping you in it now without you copping a ban you old aged bugger LOL!

Syl wrote:RIP Gene Wilder.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37215553

"US actor Gene Wilder, remembered by many for his lead role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, has died at the age of 83, his family confirmed.

The comic actor also starred in classic films such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.

Mr Wilder frequently collaborated with writer and director Mel Brooks as well as stand-up comedian Richard Pryor.

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

Mr Wilder's nephew confirmed the actor died on Sunday in Stamford, Connecticut, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease."

The luminous, expressive face that launched a thousand, thousand memes.
Superb acting talent.
The world's a poorer place without him. RIP

Updating with a few more iconic figures who have passed on

Jean Alexander  
Hilda Ogden  ( Coronation Street)





Bobby Vee  RIP.
" Take good care of my baby "






And Jimmy Perry OBE  
Script writer for "Dads Army" "it aint half hot mum" Hi de Hi"






And finally Pete Burns whose sad passing has already been covered in a separate thread. I think Pete would like to be remembered looking as nice as this.





RIP to all 4 iconic figures for the memories