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Mel Brooks tried to help Gene Wilder through Alzheimer's, but realized it wasn't possible. Wilder's death in 2016 left both Brooks and fans mourning the loss of a comic legend. Brooks and Wilder created timeless classics like Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, and The Producers.

Mel Brooks collaborated many times with his good friend Gene Wilder, and the legendary director has recently recalled his reaction to Wilder’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and how he was compelled to try and help him out of it.

The new documentary Remembering Gene Wilder sees many of Wilder’s collaborators, family, and friends coming together to celebrate the life of one of Hollywood’s greatest comic talents. Along with the actor’s widow, Karen Boyer, and stars such as Alan Alda, Harry Connick Jr., Brooks shares his personal thoughts on his friendship with Wilder, and how the actor’s failing health took a huge toll on him.

They say you find love when you're least expecting it - and that's exactly what happened when Gene Wilder met his future wife Karen Boyer. The actor had been married to iconic comedian Gilda Radner - a famed romance that ended tragically when Radner died in 1989 of ovarian cancer, more than four years after they had wed. Wilder's nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, tells People the actor "questioned whether he would ever date again." "I think a part of him, after Gilda, wondered, 'Will I ever find someone who excites me again,' " says Walker-Pearlman of the legendary Willy Wonka star, who...

They say you find love when you're least expecting it - and that's exactly what happened when Gene Wilder met his future wife Karen Boyer. The actor had been married to iconic comedian Gilda Radner - a famed romance that ended tragically when Radner died in 1989 of ovarian cancer, more than four years after they had wed. Wilder's nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, tells People the actor "questioned whether he would ever date again." "I think a part of him, after Gilda, wondered, 'Will I ever find someone who excites me again,' " says Walker-Pearlman of the legendary Willy Wonka star, who...

Gene Wilder's passing at the age of 83 from complications with Alzheimer's disease was a surprise to many - and that's how the iconic actor wanted it. Wilder hid his health struggles from the public and kept a low-key lifestyle in recent years, seldom being seen in public. But before his diagnosis three years ago, Wilder's nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, tells People the actor "was living an idyllic life" in Connecticut and California. He spent his days playing tennis, writing and painting with his wife of almost 25 years Karen Boyer, a speech consultant he met while doing research for the 1989 film See No Evil,...

Gene Wilder's passing at the age of 83 from complications with Alzheimer's disease was a surprise to many - and that's how the iconic actor wanted it. Wilder hid his health struggles from the public and kept a low-key lifestyle in recent years, seldom being seen in public. But before his diagnosis three years ago, Wilder's nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, tells People the actor "was living an idyllic life" in Connecticut and California. He spent his days playing tennis, writing and painting with his wife of almost 25 years Karen Boyer, a speech consultant he met while doing research for the 1989 film See No Evil,...

Few people were able to experience Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner's romance like Wilder's longtime friend Carl Reiner. "The last time I saw them together was in the South of France in the '70s," Reiner tells People. "He was holding their little dog and it was nestled in his neck and he had his arm around Gilda. The ocean was behind them and it was a beautiful setting." The veteran comedy producer, director, actor and writer says he'll never forget what Radner said in that moment. "She said, 'This is the happiest I'll ever be,'" Reiner recalls.

Few people were able to experience Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner's romance like Wilder's longtime friend Carl Reiner. "The last time I saw them together was in the South of France in the '70s," Reiner tells People. "He was holding their little dog and it was nestled in his neck and he had his arm around Gilda. The ocean was behind them and it was a beautiful setting." The veteran comedy producer, director, actor and writer says he'll never forget what Radner said in that moment. "She said, 'This is the happiest I'll ever be,'" Reiner recalls.

Los Angeles – The genius comedy of Gene Wilder was often in the subtlety. With a slow burn or a raised eyebrow, Wilder was able to draw big laughs. The star of “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” and “Young Frankenstein” died in Stamford, Connecticut, according to his nephew in Los Angeles. He was 83.

Wilder was well into his thirties before the first big break came along in 1967, in the classic film “Bonnie and Clyde.” From there he was able to trade in his frizzy-haired persona in his co-starring role in Mel Brook’s “The Producers” (1968). It was his collaboration with Brooks that certified his legacy, with one-two punch of “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein” in 1974. He was also held in high regard by a generation of children with his classic turn as the title character in “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971).

Pure Imagination: Gene Wilder in ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate...

Twenty-seven years after the death of his beloved wife Gilda Radner, iconic actor Gene Wilder has died at the age of 83. Their celebrated romance, however, left a legacy of laughs, even as her early death from ovarian cancer devastated a nation of fans, just four years after the couple's marriage. Beginning on the set of 1982's Hanky Panky - the first of their three onscreen collaborations - the Saturday Night Live star and Wilder's spark was unmistakable. "When I went to see Gilda, Gene was across the room," psychotherapist Pain Katz told People in 1989 of visiting the Sidney Poitier-directed film's set.

Twenty-seven years after the death of his beloved wife Gilda Radner, iconic actor Gene Wilder has died at the age of 83. Their celebrated romance, however, left a legacy of laughs, even as her early death from ovarian cancer devastated a nation of fans, just four years after the couple's marriage. Beginning on the set of 1982's Hanky Panky - the first of their three onscreen collaborations - the Saturday Night Live star and Wilder's spark was unmistakable. "When I went to see Gilda, Gene was across the room," psychotherapist Pain Katz told People in 1989 of visiting the Sidney Poitier-directed film's set.

Gene Wilder in Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory

"One of the truly great talents of our time. He blessed every film we did with his magic and he blessed me with his friendship," said Mel Brooks this evening upon hearing the death of his friend and Producers co-star Gene Wilder. The charismatic star, who was much loved for his role in Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, has passed away at the age of 83 due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.

Wilder, who suffered from non-Hodgkins lymphoma for the past 27 years, died on Sunday in Stamford, Connecticut, where he lived with wife Karen Boyer. He leaves behind a legion of fans, with films like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein acquiring a cult following which has endured for decades. He had a memorable role in Woody Allen comedy Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid To Ask...

Gene Wilder -- star of classics like "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," "Blazing Saddles," "Young Frankenstein" and more -- has died. The actor passed away Monday from complications from Alzeimer's disease, according to his agent. The rep says Wilder kept his condition secret because he didn't want to force children -- who still called out "there's Willy Wonka" -- to ask questions about the illness. Wilder was 83. Wilder was married to Gilda Radner from 1984 until...

Gene Wilder, the American comedian with the winning forlorn gaze whose all-round talent propelled him to international fame and two Oscar nominations, has died at his Connecticut home from complications related to Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 83.

Wilder was born Jerome Silberman in Milwaukee on June 11, 1933, to a Russian émigré and novelty item salesman and a sick and temperamental mother.

As a young man he acted in community theatre and attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England before embarking on a career on Broadway.

He made his film debut in 1967 in Bonnie And Clyde as a neurotic kidnap victim snatched by the title characters played by Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty.

His first lead role shortly afterwards, as the calculating Leo Bloom in Mel Brooks’ The Producers, earned a supporting actor Academy nod in 1969.

After that entrée to Hollywood, Wilder went on to play a handful of mostly eccentric and colourful characters in celebrated Hollywood...

Gene Wilder, the American comedian with the winning forlorn gaze whose all-round talent propelled him to international fame and two Oscar nominations, has died at his Connecticut home from complications related to Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 83.

Wilder was born Jerome Silberman in Milwaukee on June 11, 1933, to a Russian émigré and novelty item salesman and a sick and temperamental mother.

As a young man he acted in community theatre and attended the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in England before embarking on a career on Broadway.

He made his film debut in 1967 in Bonnie And Clyde as a neurotic kidnap victim snatched by the title characters played by Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty.

His first lead role shortly afterwards, as the calculating Leo Bloom in Mel Brooks’ The Producers, earned a supporting actor Academy nod in 1969.

After that entrée to Hollywood, Wilder went on to play a handful of mostly eccentric and colourful characters in celebrated 1970s Hollywood...