Our 5 favorite Gene Wilder movies
Movie lovers the world over were shocked and saddened Monday afternoon by the death of big screen icon Gene Wilder.
Wilder, 83, died Sunday at his home in Stamford, Connecticut, from complications from Alzheimer's.
While this is certainly a time of mourning, Wilder was never one to bring sadness. Discussing his decision to keep his medical situation private after his diagnosis three years ago, the actor's nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman said, according to an Associated Press report, "He simply couldn't bear the idea of one less smile in the world."
Therefore, we would like to take this moment to respectfully celebrate the profound impact Wilder and his work left on the world. Here are our five favorite Gene Wilder films:
"The Producers" (1967): Everything iconic about Wilder's signature big screen persona can be found here in this, his first collaboration with longtime partner-in-comedic-crime Mel Brooks.
As painfully meek accountant turned fraudulent theatrical producer Leo Bloom, Wilder oscillates wildly between vulnerability and mania. It's a star-making performance of the highest order, and it earned Wilder a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.
THE DUDE ABIDES: Jeff Bridges discusses his new movie
“One of the truly great talents of our time,” Mel Brooks tweeted of Wilder on Monday. “He blessed every film we did with his magic and he blessed me with his friendship.”
"Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (1971): His work as the title character in this Roald Dahl adaptation both charmed and terrified generations of children (and adults).
He doesn't show up until nearly halfway through the movie, but once he does you can't take your eyes off of him. His Golden Globe-nominated work as the confectionery magnate was by turns threatening and incredibly caring, both remarkably weird and surprisingly grounded.
"Blazing Saddles" (1974): Wilder goes West? You'd better believe it. In Brooks' still-shocking Western comedy, Wilder is incredibly restrained as Jim, the hard-living and haunted former gunslinger formerly known as the Waco Kid.
It's a quiet, largely internalized piece of work that stands in contrast to some of Wilder's louder roles.
MONSTER MEMORIES: Sid Haig looks back on his horror movie past
"Young Frankenstein" (1974): After years of supporting roles, Wilder found himself in the spotlight for his third and final collaboration with Brooks, a hilarious yet reverent riff on the classic Universal monster movies.
As monster-maker-to-be Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, Wilder delivered a master class on slow-burn comic abandon, gradually becoming unhinged to the point of screaming, singing and dancing lunacy. He was nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing the film's screenplay.
"Silver Streak" (1976): Wilder spent much of the '70s and '80s collaborating with another performing force of nature, comedian and actor Richard Pryor. The pair shared the big screen for four films, and if you're looking to check those movies out it's best to start at the beginning with the Arthur Hiller-directed "Silver Streak," which earned Wilder a Golden Globe nomination.
PAYING TRIBUTE: Entertainers, creators and celebrities took to Twitter on Monday to remember Gene Wilder: