It’s a bittersweet segment, but in light of Wilder’s passing, it’s nice to see the 90-year-old Brooks looking as sharp and spry as ever. (Sorry, Johnny Depp.) On Monday, fans briefly updated Ostrum’s Wikipedia page to say he “inherited a chocolate factory” after Wilder’s death. Peter Boyle. John Candy.
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The New York native recalled his long struggle to get funding for his 1967 hit, The Producers, saying that Wilder never believed he’d be able to make the dream a reality. He also showed a true dedication to his craft, often surprising the cast of children with improvised scenes like losing his cane and somersaulting on the red carpet outside the Wonka Factory. What was meant to be a celebratory interview took on a more meaningful resonance, but this being Brooks, was no less amusing because of it.
“Miracle of miracles”, Brooks did find the backing and visited Wilder backstage of a play he was doing called “Luv”. But I don’t know. And he was such a dear friend. “I expected he would go”. It’s a big shock. I’m still reeling from that.
“I took the script and I said, ‘Gene, we got the money”.
The very first time he met Gene was when Mel’s late wife, Anne Bancroft, was in the play Mother Courage and Gene was playing a chaplain.
What better way to honor Gene Wilder than to get into throwback Mel Brooks mode? “So he said, ‘Why are they always laughing at me?’ I said, ‘Look in the mirror – blame it on God, ‘” the story continued.
“He was sick and I knew it…”
“As a young actor filming Willy Wonka, I had the rare privilege of working with Gene who I greatly admired”, he said.
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Brooks did secure financing for the comedy musical, and after learning he would be heading to the big screen for the first time, Wilder became emotional.
