Actor Gene Wilder, whose death was announced on Monday, was remembered by Mel Brooks as “one of the truly great talents of our time.”
“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,” Brooks said on Twitter.
Wilder starred in a number of Brooks’ films, including “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein.”
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
According to the Associated Press, Wilder died earlier this month in Connecticut at age 83, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Wilder, who was nominated for two Oscars over the course of his career, had all but retired from acting at the time of his death. His last credited on-screen role was in a few episodes of “Will & Grace” back in 2003. He also lent his voice to an episode of “Yo Gabba Gabba” in 2015.
Wilder first worked with Brooks in 1968’s “The Producers.” His portrayal of Leopold Bloom scored him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Wilder’s long list of screen credits also included the title role in the 1971 Roald Dahl adaptation “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” as well as a string of films with comedian Richard Pryor, including “Silver Streak” and “Stir Crazy.”
Born Jerome Silberman in 1933, Wilder was married four times, including to “Saturday Night Live” star Gilda Radner, who succumbed to cancer in 1989. He was married to his most recent wife, Karen Boyer, from 1991 until his death.