Netflix’s Remembering Gene Wilder documentary is now trending, and here is everything that we know about Gene Wilder, including how old the beloved comedian and actor was when he died as well as what illness caused it. Gene Wilder was one of the most beloved performers throughout the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s, with Gene Wilder appearing in all kinds of classic films like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein. Wilder’s death was a tragic moment for the world of laughter, and here’s how the iconic subject of Remembering Gene Wilder sadly passed away.

Remembering Gene Wilder is out now, with the incredibly popular Netflix documentary providing a retrospective on the titular actor eight years after his tragic 2016 death. Remembering Gene Wilder is packed full of interviews regarding Gene Wilder, highlighting some of his greatest achievements and his contributions to the world of acting and comedy. The film is also full of footage of Gene Wilder, providing an even greater insight into the life of the performer. Sadly, Remembering Gene Wilder highlights that the actor is no longer with us, and here is a recap of what happened before his death in 2016.

Gene Wilder Died From Complications Of Alzheimer’s Disease In 2016

He Died On August 29, 2016

After over eight decades of making people laugh, Gene Wilder sadly died from complications with Alzheimer’s disease in 2016. Wilder was diagnosed with the condition three years earlier, with it sadly being an all-too-common disease that progressively destroys brain function and causes memory loss. Wilder’s Alzheimer’s disease slowly took a toll on him throughout his final years, leading to the actor’s tragic death only a few years after his initial diagnosis. Interestingly, most fans actually didn’t know about Wilder’s Alzheimer’s until his death.

Despite Wilder knowing about his diagnosis three years before his death, the actor actually decided to keep his condition a secret. This is because, according to Gene Wilder’s nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman, he was thinking about fans of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (via NPR). Wilder didn’t want kids to have to see the beloved character Willy Wonka battling with an illness, with Wilder not wanting knowledge of his Alzheimer’s to cause “delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion.” Because of this concern, Gene Wilder decided to keep his Alzheimer’s disease a secret until his tragic passing on August 29, 2016

Gene Wilder Was 83 Years Old When He Died

But He Was Retired For Years Before

Gene Wilder was 83 years old when he died of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, with him passing away on August 29, 2016 in Stamford, Connecticut. Wilder was born on June 11, 1933 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with him deciding that he wanted to act at only eight years old after the doctor told Wilder to make his mother laugh due to her diagnosis with rheumatic fever. Wilder later studied Communication and Theater Arts at the University of Iowa, with him going on to get his first professional acting job in 1951, leading to his lifelong career.

Gene Wilder mainly started out in theater, with him acting in live productions frequently throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He then began appearing in televised versions of plays, such as the CBS version of Death of a Salesman which starred Lee J. Cobb. However, the actor had his big break as a movie star when Gene Wilder first collaborated with Mel Brooks on the 1967 film The Producers, with him starring in movies ever since. Wilder continued starring in movies until the 1990s, after which he went into semi-retirement.

What Gene Wilder’s Final Movie Was Before His Death

The Answer Is Complicated

Gene Wilder’s final movie before his 2016 death was actually released 11 years prior, with it being the 2005 documentary Expo: Magic of the White City. The documentary was narrated by Gene Wilder, with it telling the story of the Chicago World’s Fair. However, the last feature film in which Gene Wilder acted was from all the way back in 1991, with it being Another You. Another You starred Wilder and his frequent collaborator Richard Pryor, with it being their last film together and Wilder’s last theatrical film.

After Another You, Wilder went on to appear in several TV movies and shows. These include 18 episodes of the 1994 show Something Wilder, the 1999 TV film Murder in a Small Town, the 1999 made-for-TV Alice in Wonderland, the 1999 TV film The Lady in Question, and two episodes of Will & Grace in 2002 and 2003. After these projects, Gene Wilder lived out the rest of his years in retirement, with him only appearing posthumously in movies like Remembering Gene Wilder.

Source: NPR

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