Gene Wilder Update: 'Willy Wonka' Icon Dies At 83, Celebs React To Sudden Loss [VIDEO]
The list of iconic celebrities we've lost this year continues, with news of the death of actor Gene Wilder.
Wilder, famous for such films as Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles, has died at the age of 83. The actor reportedly passed away due to Alzheimer's complications, says nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman. Wilder died at his home in Stamford, Conn.
The actor's career spanned from mid-1960s to the later 1990s, collecting a pair of Oscar nominations along the way. Wilder was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his scene-stealing role as Leo Bloom in The Producers in 1968, as well as a nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay for co-writing Young Frankenstein in 1974 with Mel Brooks. Wilder also received two Golden Globe nominations in his career, for Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory in 1971 and Silver Streak in 1976.
Wilder admitted in a 2008 Turner Classic Movies special that he retired from acting after 1999 because, "I don't like show business, I realized. I like show, but I don't like the business."
Actors and other celebrities have already begun tweeting their sadness over Wilder's death:
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
Thank you Gene Wilder for the wonderful, the weird, the pure imagination. One of my greatest heroes.
— josh groban (@joshgroban) 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
"Nowhere special. I always wanted to go there." #RIP #GeneWilder
— Taran Killam (@TaranKillam) August 29, 2016
#RIP #GeneWilder one of the great comic geniuses. U will be missed! pic.twitter.com/ZXEPITKCux
— John Leguizamo (@JohnLeguizamo) 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
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
The greatest comedic mind of my childhood is now gone. #RIP #GeneWilder & thank you 4 your pure imagination. This one hits hard.
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder as one of my earliest heroes. Blazing Saddles, Willy Wonka, are CLINICS on comic acting. Sad to hear of his passing.
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) August 29, 2016
"Good Day Sir!"
RIP Gene Wilder— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 29, 2016
So far, 2016 has seen an unprecedented amount of notable celebrities pass away, including Prince, David Bowie, Muhammad Ali, Garry Marshall, Merle Haggard, Patty Duke, Garry Shandling, Doris Roberts and Alan Rickman.
