Hollywood came out in droves Monday to express their grief over the passing of Gene Wilder earlier this month.
“Young Frankenstein, Silver Streak, Willy Wonka, Blazing Saddles, Stir Crazy: Gene Wilder, you were my youth! RIP ❤️ ” tweeted “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn.
“so sad to learn of the passing of my good friend, gene wilder… such an incredible man… i’ll miss you ❤️” added Harry Connick, Jr.
Cloris Leachman, who played housekeeper Frau Blucher opposite Wilder in the classic “Young Frankenstein,” offered, “Oh, Gene, it’s too soon! It’s too soon..” in a statement provided to TheWrap.
According to the Associated Press, Wilder died earlier this month due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He had all but retired from the industry at the time of his death, with his last credited on-screen role coming in a few episodes of “Will & Grace” back in 2003. He also lent his voice to an episode of “Yo Gabba Gabba” in 2015.
One of Wilder’s more prominent roles was in the classic film “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” but he was also known for several collaborations with Mel Brooks, including “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein.”
Brooks also came out to say a few words about his late friend, tweeting Monday: “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.”
See below for an early sampling of Hollywood’s social media tributes to Wilder.
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
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
There has never been a comic actor any funnier than Gene Wilder. A total delight. I will miss him so.
— Rhett Reese (@RhettReese) August 29, 2016
so sad to learn of the passing of my good friend, gene wilder… such an incredible man… i'll miss you ❤️
— Harry Connick Jr (@HarryConnickJR) August 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/770343199156035584
https://twitter.com/TheOrlandoJones/status/770350438050770944
Gene Wilder's talent was too great to be contained by the term "actor". Instead he should be thought of as a "genre". #RIPGeneWilder
— Dave Foley (@DaveSFoley) August 29, 2016
Dear Gene Wilder,
I wish I had written to you sooner. You made me laugh. I will miss you.— Paula Poundstone (@paulapoundstone) August 29, 2016
Oh, no. Gene Wilder. Seriously one of the funniest humans ever. Sad. RIP
— marc maron (@marcmaron) August 29, 2016
Mad genius of young Frankenstein rest in peace gene wilder https://t.co/KNvYX9UQIS
— cassian elwes (@cassianelwes) August 29, 2016
One of my all time idols. A true genius. Gene Wilder. RIP
— Kevin Sussman (kevsussman on threads) (@KevinSussman) August 29, 2016
"Good Day Sir!"
RIP Gene Wilder— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 29, 2016
RIP Gene Wilder. A wonderfully funny man. pic.twitter.com/BeU4dk3ZhC
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) August 29, 2016
Time is a precious thing. Never waste it.
Gene Wilder RIP.
— David Harewood (@DavidHarewood) August 29, 2016
RIP Gene Wilder. What a kind, talented and generous man you were! My wife worked w/Gene on Something Wilder 1994. pic.twitter.com/zn3VSH9Sbs
— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) August 29, 2016
https://twitter.com/UzoAduba/status/770345810710200321
If you haven't, watch Young Frankenstein. Start there. So many, many others. Too many to name right now. RIP Gene Wilder
— Adam Horowitz (@AdamHorowitzLA) August 29, 2016
Mortality shouldn't apply to the comedy greats. RIP Gene Wilder. Thank you for my childhood ❤️
— (((bex))) free palestine (@IBexWeBex) August 29, 2016
RIP to a true original and one of the all time greats Gene Wilder. I loved him. https://t.co/RdupcfKk7V
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder is and always will be a reason I love movies and comedy. #RIP
— Doug Benson (@DougBenson) August 29, 2016