The world lost one of its funniest leading men in Gene Wilder, who sadly passed away at the age of eighty-three.
The actor passed away earlier today due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease, which he had kept private after being diagnosed with the condition three years ago.
The actor made a huge mark on Hollywood as a comedy actor during his active years between 1967 and 1991, starring in comedy classics such as the Mel Brooks films The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.
He also starred in the great 1989 comedy See No Evil, Hear No Evil and of course, no one can forget him in what was probably his most popular role as Willy Wonka in the 1971 classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
Those films, amongst others in his storied Hollywood career made him one of the most beloved comedic actors on all time.
Let’s have a look at some videos that defined the late actor’s career.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2pt2-F2j2g
Firstly, one of the many great songs performed by Wilder in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, a role that will forever solidify his place in movie history.
While Tim Burton tried his best to honour Wilder by casting Johnny Depp in the same role in his 2005 remake and did a decent job with it, this original performance is the pivotal one and can never be replicated.
One of the funniest movies ever made by one of the greatest comedy directors of all time in Mel Brooks, Blazing Saddles saw Gene Wilder play Jim, “The Waco Kid” in this hilarious western spoof.
Check out the original theatrical trailer above to see how far trailers have come over the years.
The old-school trailer above doesn’t give the film the justice it deserves, but I’d rather see an average trailer to a great film rather than an amazing trailer to an average film, which seems to be the norm these days.
Another Mel Brooks classic in Young Frankenstein sees Wilder play Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in this comedy-horror spoof.
Everyone loves a good blooper real, but it certainly feels strange when seeing one from 1974, check out the funny video above.
Finally, a scene from one of my personal favourite Gene Wilder movies – See No Evil, Hear No Evil.
In it, he pairs up with another comedy legend in Richard Pryor, where Pryor plays a blind man and Wilder a deaf man as the two go on a caper together to stop a group of thieves.
This film showcases the great talents of both actors and is a must-see for all comedy fans.
RIP.
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