Played a man wrongly accused of committing a crime in four movies: Silver Streak (1976), Stir Crazy (1980), Hanky Panky (1982), and See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989).
Starred with Richard Pryor in four movies: Silver Streak (1976), Stir Crazy (1980), See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989), and Another You (1991).
Won the Clarence Derwent award for the Broadway play "The Complaisant Lover" in 1962.
Graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
After his wife Gilda Radner died of ovarian cancer, Gene co-founded Gilda's Club, a support group to raise awareness of the disease.
Was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and is undergoing chemotherapy. [1999]
Wife, Karen, is a former speech pathologist.
Is a life long brother of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity.
Says he picked the name 'Gene Wilder' because he couldn't see a 'Jerry Silberman' playing Hamlet. He admits now that he can't see 'Gene Wilder' playing Hamlet either.
Made a full recovery from Cancer in 2000
Uncle of director-screenwriter Jordan Walker-Pearlman.
Campaigned with Elaine May and Renée Taylor for Eugene McCarthy, Allard Lowenstein and Paul O'Dwyer, 1968.
Served with U.S. Army, 1956-58.
Has been a staunch liberal Democrat for many years, and was staunchly against the Vietnam War. He is now against the War in Iraq.
Treated his cancer with a stem-cell transplant.
When he chose his stage name, he chose "Wilder" because he loved Thorton Wolder's play "Our Town." The name "Gene" he chose because he liked it... not realizing until later it was because his mother's name was Jean. (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 honor of her.)
Gene Wilder Detailed Biography
Gene Wilder (born Jerome Silberman on June 11, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is best known for his many collaborations with writer, producer, director Mel Brooks. Gene Wilder made many movies with Brooks starting with The Producers in 1968. He was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role in The Producers. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing Young Frankenstein with Mel Brooks.
His first big part was in Bonnie and Clyde where he played an undertaker abducted by the couple.
Perhaps one of his best known roles is that of Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
In the late 1970s and 1980s he appeared in a number of movies with Richard Pryor, making them the most prolific inter-racial comedy double act in movies during the period.
Wilder was married to Saturday Night Live actress Gilda Radner from 1984 until her death from ovarian cancer in 1989. Since then he has remained active in promoting cancer awareness and treatment.
