GENE WILDER, (born Jerome Silberman, June 11, 1933 - August 28, 2016) was an American stage and screen comic actor, screenwriter, film director, and author. He was known best for the lead role in the 1971 film 'Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,' and the Mel Brooks comedies 'Blazing Saddles', and 'Young Frankenstein', which Wilder co-wrote, garnering the pair an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. Wilder died at age 83 from complications from Alzheimer's disease. PICTURED: GENE WILDER and DONALD SUTHERLAND in a scene from the 1970 film 'Start the Revolution Without Me.' (Credit Image: © Entertainment Pictures/Entertainment Pictures/ZUMAPRESS.com)