Curiosidades

One of his all-time favorite songs was "Over the Rainbow", and particularly the version sung by Ella Fitzgerald. According to his family, as Wilder laid on his deathbed, the music player (which was set to random) changed to this song. Wilder then smiled, closed his eyes, and peacefully passed away.

While serving in the United States Army from 1956-1958, he was assigned as a Medic to the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology at Valley Forge General Hospital in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He worked in treating psychiatric patients.

His performance as Willy Wonka in A Fantástica Fábrica de Chocolate (1971) is ranked #38 on Premiere magazine's 100 Greatest Movie Characters of All Time.

Appeared in four of the American Film Institute's 100 Funniest Movies: Banzé no Oeste (1974) at #6, Primavera para Hitler (1967) at #11, O Jovem Frankenstein (1974) at #13 and O Expresso de Chicago (1976) at #95.

In October 2001, he read from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" as part of a special benefit performance held at the Westport Country Playhouse to support families affected by the September 11 attacks. Also in 2001, Wilder donated a collection of scripts, correspondences, documents, photographs, and clipped images to the University of Iowa Libraries.

Wilder claimed that before Mel Brooks recruited him, he regarded himself as more of a dramatic actor than a comedic actor.

When he chose his stage name, he chose "Wilder" because he loved Thornton Wilder's play "Our Town". He chose the name "Gene" simply because he liked this, not realizing until later this was because his mother's name was Jeanne (she was sick for most of his childhood, and he spent much of his time entertaining her as a kid to keep her happy and her spirits up. He subconsciously chose the name because he loved her so much and in honour of her).

His performance as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein ("that's FRONKensteen") in O Jovem Frankenstein (1974) is ranked #9 on Premiere magazine's 100 Greatest Performances of All Time (2006).

He was set to reunite with Richard Pryor in Trocando as Bolas (1983) until Pryor dropped out. When Eddie Murphy was cast, he requested that Wilder be replaced, as he did not want to come-off as a poor substitute for Pryor.

In early 2001, Wilder was grocery shopping in a supermarket near his home in Stamford, Connecticut, when a mother approached him and asked him if she could tell her kids who he was. Gene said "Yes, if you promise not to say it loud". The mother whispered to her kids, "That's Willy Wonka!". She then turned to Wilder and said, "What a legacy!".

Longtime resident of Fairfield County's Stamford, Connecticut until his death. Upon his death from complications of Alzheimer's disease, he was cremated and his ashes given to his family.

Was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Primavera para Hitler (1967) but lost to Jack Albertson, who won for A História de Três Estranhos (1968). Both Wilder and Albertson would later co-star in A Fantástica Fábrica de Chocolate (1971).

He has appeared in five films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Bonnie e Clyde: Uma Rajada de Balas (1967), Primavera para Hitler (1967), A Fantástica Fábrica de Chocolate (1971), Banzé no Oeste (1974) and O Jovem Frankenstein (1974).

His final novel, "Even Dogs Learn How to Swim", was released in April 2017. The audio version, for which he performed the narration, was directed by his nephew filmmaker Jordan Walker-Pearlman. It was created over five days in a recording studio near the actor's Stamford, Connecticut home two years before his death.

Starred with Richard Pryor in four movies: O Expresso de Chicago (1976), Loucos de Dar Nó (1980), Cegos, Surdos e Loucos (1989) and Um sem Juízo, Outro sem Razão (1991).

Mel Brooks wanted him to star in Alta Ansiedade (1977), which he turned down due to scheduling conflicts. Brooks took the role himself.

In 1991, the Best Man at his wedding was his nephew, director-screenwriter Jordan Walker-Pearlman. Twenty-four years later, Wilder served as Best Man Emeritus, Ring Bearer, and Parent of the Groom at Walker-Pearlman's wedding to Elizabeth Hunter. He was recorded dancing down the aisle. According to Wilder's memoir, "Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art", he considered his nephew, whom he helped to raise, as his son.

Was offered the role of Corky in Um Passe de Mágica (1978) by director Richard Attenborough and screenwriter William Goldman but was rejected by producer Joseph E. Levine as he did not want a comedic actor in the role. The role then went to Sir Anthony Hopkins. Wilder went on to say it was the role he regretted missing out on the most in his career.

Wilder was born to an Russian Jewish immigrant father and an Illinois-born mother of Russian Jewish descent; he had a Bar Mitzvah when he was 13 years old in 1946.

Attended and graduated from Washington High School (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) in 1951. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa at Iowa City in 1955. He was a lifelong brother of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity.

Wilder adopted his second wife (Mary Joan Schutz)'s daughter, Katharine Anastasia, but the two reportedly became estranged when she was in her early 20s. After his third wife, Gilda Radner, died of ovarian cancer, Wilder co-founded Gilda's Club, a support group to raise awareness of the disease. Wilder's fourth wife and widow, Karen Boyer, is a former speech pathologist. They first met when he consulted with her about playing the role of a deaf man in Cegos, Surdos e Loucos (1989).

He was considered for the Moon King in As Aventuras do Barão Munchausen (1988), which went to Robin Williams.

Retired from making big screen movies in 1991. He became disillusioned with the movie industry after his film Another You (1991) failed. Despite this he did not retire completely from acting until 2005. He continued to work in television from 1991 until then because he found the medium more agreeable to work with.

Played men wrongly accused of crimes in five films: O Expresso de Chicago (1976), O Rabino e o Pistoleiro (1979), Loucos de Dar Nó (1980), Hanky Panky, Uma Dupla em Apuros (1982) and Cegos, Surdos e Loucos (1989).

Mel Brooks offered him the role of Ippolit in Banzé na Rússia (1970). But Wilder wanted to play the role of Ostap instead. Brooks refused to cast Wilder because Ostap is described in the novel as "devilishly handsome". Wilder said that he was not offended by this, but still decided not to do the film. The roles went to Ron Moody and Frank Langella.

In 1999, Wilder was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and underwent chemotherapy. The following year, he was treated with adult stem-cell therapy. He made a full recovery.

He was a fan of Laurel and Hardy.

He was offered a cameo role in O Bom Gigante Amigo (2016), which, like A Fantástica Fábrica de Chocolate (1971), was based on a book by Roald Dahl, but he declined.

As a young boy he wanted to be a comedian like Sid Ceasar, his favourite. At 15 he saw Lee J Cobb in 'Death of a Salesman and decided to be a comedy actor.

Wilder guest-starred in Boardroom and a Parked Place (2002) as Will Truman's new boss, Mr. Stein. As Will is trying to boost Stein's confidence, he has Stein shout "I am Stein! I am Stein!" In an outtake from the episode Will (played by actor Eric McCormack) stands up and shouts "You're Frankenstein!".

With the success of Stir Crazy there were plans to make a sequel but it never happened.

He was offered Red Buttons' role in O Destino do Poseidon (1972), which he turned down due to scheduling conflicts.

Won the Clarence Derwent award for the Broadway play "The Complaisant Lover" in 1962.

He turned down Jon Voight's role in Ardil 22 (1970) in order to play twins in Mercenários de um Reino em Chamas (1970).

Was offered roles in both Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) and Stuart Little (1999). However at the time he was only willing to act on television due to some previous bad experiences making theatrical films and as a result he declined both parts. Both films were huge box office successes.

For an American Film Institute poll, Wilder designated O Circo (1928) as his favourite film.

Adam Sandler asked him to cameo as Sid in his hit movie Big Daddy (1999) but Wilder declined as he was only willing to act on television at the time. His policy of only doing television roles began in 1991 after the box office and critical failure Another You (1991). Geoffrey Horne played Sid instead.

Mel Brooks was a great influence on his screenwriting.

Passed away just 7 months after his sister Connie.

Wilder was a supporter of the Democratic Party for many years, and staunchly opposed U.S. actions in the Vietnam War and the Iraq War. He supported Eugene McCarthy in the 1968 presidential election. That same year, he campaigned, along with Elaine May and Renée Taylor, on behalf of Eugene McCarthy, Allard Lowenstein and Paul O'Dwyer.

Was the first of three actors to be nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actor - Comedy/Musical for playing Willy Wonka, with the film A Fantástica Fábrica de Chocolate (1971). The other two being Johnny Depp for A Fantástica Fábrica de Chocolate (2005) and Timothée Chalamet for Wonka (2023).

Was considered for Lex Luthor in Superman: The Movie (1978).

Cousin of Rochelle Pierce.

Was considered for Will Graham in Manhunter (1986).