Died at 93
male
Gene Wilder (born Jerome Silberman; June 11, 1933 – August 29, 2016) was an American actor, director, screenwriter, producer, singer-songwriter, and author. He began his career on stage, and made his screen debut in an episode of the TV series The Play of the Week in 1961. Although his first film role was portraying a hostage in the 1967 motion picture Bonnie and Clyde, Wilder's first major role was as Leopold Bloom in the 1967 film The Producers for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. This was the first in a series of collaborations with writer/director Mel Brooks, including 1974's Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, which Wilder co-wrote, garnering the pair an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. He is known for his iconic portrayal of Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and for his four films with Richard Pryor: Silver Streak (1976), Stir Crazy (1980), See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989), and Another You (1991), as well as starring in Woody Allen's Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask) (1972). He directed and wrote several of his own films, including The Woman in Red (1984). With his third wife, Gilda Radner, he starred in three films, the last two of which he also directed. Her 1989 death from ovarian cancer led to his active involvement in promoting cancer awareness and treatment, helping found the Gilda Radner Ovarian Cancer Detection Center in Los Angeles and co-founding Gilda's Club. After his last acting performance in 2003 – a guest role on Will & Grace for which he received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor – he turned his attention to writing. He produced a memoir in 2005, Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art; a collection of stories, What Is This Thing Called Love? (2010); and the novels My French Whore (2007), The Woman Who Wouldn't (2008), and Something to Remember You By (2013).
Gene Wilder
The 4th Doctor (The Five Doctors)
for The 4th Doctor (The Five Doctors) in American Doctor Who - The Fifth Doctor (1982-1984)
Suggested by chasestucki
Despite initially being skeptical, Gene Wilder ultimately fell in love with playing the character, and played The Doctor for 7 whole seasons. But, once the production entered the 80s, Wilder didn't really like the direction it was going, especially with the new hot shot producer that he worked for, for a season. So, he ultimately decided his seventh season would be his last. So a new Doctor needed to be found. The new producer wanted to find someone who was more down to Earth and personable, while also showcasing the manic portrayal of the Doctor when needed. And his choice was Robin Williams. It was very perfect timing as Williams was just finishing his run on another show as an alien: Mork and Mindy. When they approached him for the role, he immediately agreed, being a big fan of the show in his youth. He was a bit skeptical going from one TV show to another, so he approached Jack Lemmon for advice, and Lemmon told him to do the show only for 3 seasons to avoid typecasting. Which is what Williams ultimately decided to do because of this. Now, Robin Williams as the Fifth Doctor begins!
