# Gene Wilder has died **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 29, 2016, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426 "2016-08-29T19:32:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2016, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/61 "2016-08-29T22:53:47Z")
I loved him in almost all his movies. Not so many mention him co-starring with Harrison Ford in _The Frisco Kid_, but I loved that movie! This is a death that really bums me out, and I’m the Death Mistress over in the Game Room. Thank you God for giving us all the laughs that Wilder had in him. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2016, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/62 "2016-08-29T23:08:32Z")
“Well, don’t just stand there looking stupid, grasping your hands in pain. How about a round of applause for The Waco Kid?” ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2016, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/63 "2016-08-29T23:24:43Z")
Good day, Sir! ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2016, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/64 "2016-08-29T23:49:41Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Wilder actually had four wives altogether. OK, if you insist: “Wilder actually had four wives.” I’ll miss him, but since he hasn’t acted for over a decade, at least we still can watch his classics. I hope TCM and others have a tribute weekend planned. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/65 "2016-08-30T00:00:07Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Wilder actually had four wives altogether. …Not to mention the [sheep](http://failedmessiah.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b71f69e201a511963844970c-800wi)… ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/66 "2016-08-30T00:11:17Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > I know it’s just that I find the fixation of the general public on his windowing kind of creepy. Yes, it was sad but he was married to his last wife longer than all the others combined yet everyone thinks he was in mourning for the rest of his life. > > Eta: though to be fair, almost the only time you heard of him the last couple decades was very rare appearances doing funding drives for Gilda’s Club so I guess I can’t blame people for thinking that. I think the general perception is that if Gilda hadn’t died, she’d be his widow today. She really did seem to be the “one” for him. Not to imply that he didn’t love Karen, just that they never would have even met if Gilda hadn’t passed. ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/67 "2016-08-30T00:20:58Z")
So shines a good life, in a weary world. RIP ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/68 "2016-08-30T00:26:45Z")
> [@Count\_Blucher](#): > > "We have to get on…! We have to get on…! > We have so much time and so little to do…! > > _pause_ > > Strike that. Reverse it…" > > :(:(☹ > > - RIP Gene Wilder > > “I know, but this is the hand I shoot with…” :[horse whinny](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5IWHt4OoNk): ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/69 "2016-08-30T00:32:10Z")
I remember he was in _Bonnie and Clyde_ in an early role, 1967 when in his early 30s, and you could see his genius then too. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/70 "2016-08-30T01:50:53Z")
Since this is a thread about Wilder, could somebody help me remember this Gene Wilder movie? I recall watching it on PBS back in the day (late 70s to early 80s), but since there was usually a few years gap before movies made it to TV back then, I’d say it was an early 70s picture. Anyway, the movie was set in 1920s Hollywood (I can’t remember a Death Ray though). The one and only scene I can clearly remember has Wilder on a train. There’s a lot of slap-stick bumbling around tripping and suitcases flying open. The train is pulling into the depot for Hollywood. The gangly, gawky Wilder (who, it should be noted is wearing an all-white seersucker suit and white fedora) starts flailing around tossing his clothes back into his suitcase and bellowing angrily (paraphrasing): “I am GOING to Hollywood! And I WILL succeed there! I WILL become a star! Not because I am the most STUNNING looking man ever. Not because I AM the GREATEST actor ever! But because I…am…an ORIGINAL! There is NOBODY like me in Hollywood, NOBODY! I will take the world by STORM because of my unique-ness!” And then he stomps off the train into the Hollywood train station – which is crowded wall to wall with gangly, gawky men all wearing all-white seersucker suits and white fedoras. The soundtrack starts playing “YOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUU ought-a be in PIC-turrrress…” while Wilder gapes in the most crestfallen way imaginable. Anyone remember this? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/71 "2016-08-30T01:56:39Z")
THE WORLD’S GREATEST LOVER, written and directed by Wilder. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/72 "2016-08-30T02:00:53Z")
Wow. Not even ten minutes. Thanks The Other Waldo Pepper. I am off the Netflix it now. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/73 "2016-08-30T02:09:25Z")
“A pussy, huh? A PUSSY? Can we go now?” ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/74 "2016-08-30T02:51:30Z")
Oh, crap. I went all teary with the news today. ☹ “We’ll begin (SWISH) / With a spin…” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/75 "2016-08-30T03:27:44Z")
“Little bastard shot me in the ass…” RIP, Gene. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/76 "2016-08-30T04:02:10Z")
“I’m sorry I called you fat.” ☹ ---
**Author:** ![oliversarmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/eb8c5e/32.png) [@oliversarmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oliversarmy)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/77 "2016-08-30T04:21:59Z")
Way back in the day, Gene Wilder was the man. For some people born in the '50s he was Willy Wonka. Sure, he did “The Producers” and he was great in that and he grew up as exactly as the baby boomers grew. He partnered with Mel Brooks and made classic comedy films. He was the funny guy in the movies and he played his role perfectly for the audience of the time. This is meant sincerely. He was the Jack Benny of his time. He was a great comedian that has not been replaced. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/78 "2016-08-30T04:25:34Z")
He was an incredibly funny man. Without a doubt, my favorite of his characters was Froederick Fronkensteen. “Put… The… Candle… Back…” RIP Mr. Wilder. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/79 "2016-08-30T06:48:47Z")
I can only have one reaction to this news: I’m in pain, I’m wet, and I’m hysterical. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426/80 "2016-08-30T07:54:48Z")
> [@Zakalwe](#): > > I think the general perception is that if Gilda hadn’t died, she’d be his widow today. She really did seem to be the “one” for him. Not to imply that he didn’t love Karen, just that they never would have even met if Gilda hadn’t passed. That’s true. His first two marriages ended in divorce, so his marriage to Gilda truly was “until death do us part.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gene-wilder-has-died/764426.md?page=5)