Sir Roger Moore has led tributes to Gene Wilder.
The 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' star sadly passed away from complications from Alzheimer’s disease at his home in Stamford, Connecticut and the entertainment industry has rushed to social media to offer their condolences.
31 August 2016
Roger wrote: "RIP Gene Wilder. Only happy memories of making Sunday Lovers together."
Whilst George Takei added: "He was always able to make us smile, and that is no small feat. Rest with the stars, Gene Wilder."
And 'Guardians of the Galaxy' director James Gunn paid tribute to a "movie star who wasn't beyond us"
Writing on Facebook, he shared: "Growing up, Gene Wilder was, to me, the biggest movie star in the world ... He was a movie star who wasn't beyond us, one we could trust, and I'll forever be grateful to him for his work and his life and his humour. May he rest in peace, wherever he may be, and continue to bring laughter to future generations here with us."
John Cusack paid his respects to a "great and truly original artist" whilst Zelda Williams remembered Gene for the impact he had on her childhood.
She wrote: "R.I.P to the incomparable Gene Wilder. You filled so many childhoods, mine included, with wonder, laughter & joy. Thank you."
Comedienne Julia Louis-Dreyfus shared: "RIP dear, wonderful Gene Wilder. What an influence you were in my life. Thank you for all that joy."
In a statement, Gene's nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman confirmed the 'Young Frankenstein' star had been secretly suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
He said: "The decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasn’t vanity, but more so that the countless young children that would smile or call out to him “there’s Willy Wonka,” would not have to be then exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and causing delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion. He simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world."
© 2024 Bang Showbiz, NZCity