With his wild hair and big, melancholic eyes, Gene Wilder had a unique nuttiness about him. From Dr. Ross to mad chocolatier Willy Wonka, the beloved actor perfected his roles and opened his viewers to a world of pure imagination. But beneath his kooky personas was a man far more interesting than any of his characters.
Wilder was a true entertainer who dedicated his life to the art of making people smile. He went through innocence-shattering moments as a kid but picked himself up and made a promise to bring nothing but laughter into the world. Luckily for us, he succeeded.
In honor of this comic enigma, here are some fascinating bits about his life.