‘Willy Wonka’ Actor Gene Wilder Dies Aged 83

The family of US actor Gene Wilder, known for his namesake role in Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, have confirmed he has passed away at the age of 83.

The funny actor has also starred in classic films such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein.

The two-time Oscar-nominated actor was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1989, and his nephew confirmed the actor passed away on Sunday, in Connecticut, after complications with his Alzheimer’s disease.

The star first found his feet on Broadway before transitioning to the big screen for a brief role as a kidnapped undertaker in Bonnie and Clyde (1967).

Image: Getty

In 1971, he took on the role of arguably one of his most memorable charachters, Willy Wonka, in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Mr Wilder’s other roles have included the Waco Kid in the 1974 cult classic ‘Blazing Saddles’, and not to mention Doctor Ross in Woody Allen’s 1972 film ‘Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex* But Were Afraid to Ask’.

Here he is singing the Wonka classic ‘Pure Imagination’:

Our thoughts are with his family at this tough time.