Gene Wilder regularly stole the show in such comedic gems as “The Producers“, “Blazing Saddles”, “Young Frankenstein”, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “Stir Crazy”. The last film – with Wilder playing a California-born descendant of the mad scientist, insisting that his name is pronounced Frahn-ken-SHTEEN – was co-written by Brooks and Wilder and earned the pair an Oscar nod for adapted screenplay.
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“It’s kind of like losing a parent”, Ostrum told Variety. “You know it’s going to happen, but it’s still a shock”.
Gene Wilder.Jessica Hill/APHollywood was shaken up by the death of the great comedy actor Gene Wilder on Monday. Now, though, it’s considered a classic. Not only was he averse to Wilder’s performance as eccentric candy-peddler Willy Wonka (the author wanted Spike Milligan for the role), he was irritated that it placed more emphasis on Wonka at the expense of the book’s good-hearted hero Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrum).
And Rusty Goffe, who played one of Wonka’s Oompa Loompas, wrote that Wilder was “one of the nicest if not THE nicest actor I have ever worked with”. Wilder impressed the other actors with his ability to improvise.
Wilder’s nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, said that this was so as not to sadden his younger fans. He never let on how he was going to read a line or convey an expression. “That’s why the film works, because he made Wonka so unpredictable”. Once filming began, the two instantly bonded.
“To have made one film and to be associated with Jack and Gene, I feel like I really found the golden ticket”, Ostrum added.
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While Ostrum never starred in another movie, ultimately becoming a veterinarian, he praised Wilder and co-star Jack Albertson, who played Grandpa Joe, for teaching him so much about acting.
