Just found out about the death of an actor who made us laugh for so many years in so many comedies. Crazy-haired Gene Wilder died today at age 83 in his home in Connecticut. He had suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease late in his life and had been diagnosed with lymphoma as far back as 1989. HERE’s the Variety obit story on the legend.
Gene’s legacy will brighten our memories for years to come. Right off the bat, I thought of a half dozen, seriously stellar comedy films he starred in, like: Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Silver Streak and Stir Crazy, the latter two films co-starring with Peorian Richard Pryor. What a career.
Wilder leaves us with some of the best classic movie lines from our youth: “What knockers!” from Young Frankenstein, “Nowhere special? I always wanted to go there,” and “Morons” from Blazing Saddles, “Oh, you should never, never doubt what nobody is sure about,” “Thank you for calling” and “Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker” from Willy Wonka,” etc. Peorians won’t forget you or your sometime screen buddy, Richard Pryor. Enjoy a couple of his classic screen scenes below.
Doc Watson
