STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 29, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Gene Wilder, the comic actor noted for his roles in “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein” and “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” is dead at the age of 83.
News of the actor’s passing was released Monday by nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman, who said Wilder’s death was due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
“We understand for all the emotional and physical challenges this situation presented we have been among the lucky ones — this illness-pirate, unlike in so many cases, never stole his ability to recognize those who were closest to him, nor took command of his central-gentle-life-affirming core personality.
“The decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasn’t vanity, but more so that the countless young children that would smile or call out to him ‘there’s Willie Wonka,’ would not have to be then exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and causing delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion. He simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world.”
