Date of Birth: June 11, 1933
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: August 29, 2016
Biography
Gene Wilder, born Jerome Silberman, was an acclaimed American actor, screenwriter, director, producer, singer-songwriter, and author. He was born on June 11, 1933, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wilder is best known for his roles in comedic films and his collaborations with director Mel Brooks and actor Richard Pryor. His breakout role came in 1967 with Brooks’ film “The Producers,” which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He continued to captivate audiences with his performances in “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971), “Blazing Saddles” (1974), and “Young Frankenstein” (1974). Wilder’s career also included successful pairings with Richard Pryor in films like “Silver Streak” (1976) and “Stir Crazy” (1980). Beyond acting, Wilder directed and wrote several films, including “The Woman in Red” (1984) and “Haunted Honeymoon” (1986). He was married four times, most notably to actress Gilda Radner, with whom he shared a deep personal and professional connection until her death in 1989. Wilder retired from acting in the early 2000s and later focused on writing, publishing a memoir and several novels. He passed away on August 29, 2016, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
5 Interesting Facts about Gene Wilder
1. Gene Wilder was born Jerome Silberman but changed his name to “Gene Wilder” in 1956.
2. Wilder was a devoted advocate for cancer awareness following the death of his third wife, Gilda Radner, from ovarian cancer.
3. He was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for “The Producers” and Best Adapted Screenplay for “Young Frankenstein.”
4. Wilder was a skilled fencer and won the All-School Fencing Championship while attending the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
5. He was a published author, writing a memoir titled “Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art” and several novels.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Gene Wilder
1. “Time is a precious thing. Never waste it.”
2. “If you’re not gonna tell the truth, then why start talking?”
3. “I trust if the world had a new beginning, and people were taught how to laugh and forget their troubles, the world would become a better place.”
4. “I’m funny on camera sometimes. In life, once in a while. Once in a while.”
5. “My basic mistake in life has always been to try and do too many things.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At his peak, Gene Wilder’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million.
Children
Gene Wilder did not have any biological children. However, he was a stepfather to Katharine Anastasia, the daughter of his fourth wife, Karen Boyer.
Relevant Links
1. [Gene Wilder IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000698/
2. [Gene Wilder Biography on Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/actor/gene-wilder
3. [Gene Wilder on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Wilder
4. [Gene Wilder’s Films on Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/gene_wilder
5. [Gene Wilder Memorial on Find a Grave](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/169017423/gene-wilder
