Gene Wilder Biography
(Jerome Silberman)
- Born: 11-06-1933
- Birth Place: Wisconsin, USA
Gene Wilder Biography
Born Jerome Silberman, Wilder began studying drama while studying at the University of Iowa. After graduation, he furthered his dramatic studies in the UK, at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Returning to the United States, Wilder primarily supported himself as a fencing instructor.
After gaining experience off-Broadway in the early 1960s, he joined the Actors Studio, which led to several successful Broadway appearances, and eventually to his feature film debut in 'Bonnie and Clyde', in 1967.
The following year he worked with Mel Brooks for the first time, co-starring opposite Zero Mostel in the comedy 'The Producers'. The role secured Wilder an Oscar nomination. During the 1970s, Wilder appeared in some of the decade's most popular comedies, but it was his role as Willy Wonka, in ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’, that would earn him lasting fame.
The 1974 hit ‘Young Frankenstein’, a classic horror movie spoof, and ‘Blazing Saddles’ became the cornerstones of Wilder’s reputation. Branching out on his own, he next wrote and directed ‘The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother’. Like his subsequent directorial efforts, the humour was fitful and the direction uneven. He did, however, have a minor hit as the director and star of ‘The Woman in Red’, in 1984.
As an actor, Wilder regained his form, starring in the 1976 hit ‘Silver Streak’. It would be the first pairing of Wilder and the comic Richard Pryor. Their next movie together, 'Stir Crazy', was also a hit, but by the time ‘See No Evil, Hear No Evil’ and ‘Another You’ were released, the chemistry between the two had definitely fizzled out.
Wilder was married to the 'Saturday Night Live' veteran, Gilda Radner, until her death from cancer in 1989.
