Wilder, who appeared in Brooks’ films The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein, died Sunday at age 83 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
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Two of Gene Wilder’s most regarded films are headed back to theaters this weekend following the actor’s death this week. Everyone has been paying tribute for Wilder over the past couple of days, including one of his closest colleagues in Mel Brooks.
Peter Ostrum, who quit acting after playing Charlie Bucket as a 12-year-old, said Wilder had taken him under his wing on the set of the 1971 film.
He recalled the first time he told Wilder about “The Producers”. Their creative friendship continued as they wrote “Young Frankenstein” and Wilder’s legendary role in “Blazing Saddles”.
Wilder and Brooks consistently worked with each other throughout their careers.
“Miracle of miracles”, Brooks did find the backing and visited Wilder backstage of a play he was doing called “Luv”.
“I expected he would go, but when it happens it’s still tremendous”. Brooks said that Wilder was such a wonderful part of his life. But when people see me in a movie and it’s funny then they stop and say things to me about ‘how funny you were.’ But I don’t think I’m that funny. His late wife Ann Bancroft was staring in a production of “Mother Courage” and Wilder was cast as the chaplain. I can never decide which of the latter two is my favorite comedy of all time; I quote at least one of them nearly daily.
“He was eighty-three and passed holding our hands with the same tenderness and love he exhibited as long as I can remember”, he said.
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It was in 1991 that Gene Wilder turned in his badge and quit the big screen, his final movie being “Another You” with long-time collaborator Richard Pryor, sadly a critical and box office failure. He held his face and cried. “It was a wonderful moment”, the Oscar victor recalled.
