Brooks, who has been responsible for creating some of the greatest comedy movies and TV shows of the past century, stopped by The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night. “I expected it – I expected he would go, but I dunno, when it happens, it’s still tremendous”.
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“I’m heartbroken at Gene’s passing, but what a wonderful way to celebrate his gifts and talents this weekend”, he said.
AMC theaters and Warner Bros. are bringing back a pair of Gene Wilder films – “Blazing Saddles” and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” – in honor of the late actor this weekend.
As well as discussing how the two put together the cast list for Young Frankenstein, Brooks also reminisced about how they first met at a production of the Bertolt Brecht play Mother Courage.
Ostrum never made another film, despite his happy experience working on “Willy Wonka”, but he often remembers Wilder and Jack Albertson, the man who played Charlie’s grandfather. So he said, ‘They’re always laughing at me? “He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship”, he tweeted after learning about the death.
Wilder died Monday at the age of 83 due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease, a diagnosis only revealed after his death. Brooks recalls Wilder doubted the project would see the light of day. “Yeah! You’re going to get the money!”.
Mel was one of a very select few people that was privy to the knowledge that Gene Wilder was ill.
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But funding came through and Gene burst into tears when Mel broke the happy news they would be making the comedy, which was released in 1968. “He cried, and I hugged him”. “It was a wonderful moment”.
