Even though not tech related, one of my favorite actors has passed...
US actor Gene Wilder, remembered by many for his lead role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, has died at the age of 83, his family confirmed. The comic actor also starred in classic films such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. Mr Wilder frequently collaborated with writer and director Mel Brooks as well as stand-up comedian Richard Pryor. The two-time Oscar-nominated actor was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1989. Mr Wilder's nephew confirmed the actor died on Sunday in Stamford, Connecticut, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Actor, director, screenwriter, and author Gene Wilder is no more:
Actor and writer Gene Wilder, who brought his signature manic energy to films such as The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and the role that forever ensconced him in the collective memory of a generation of children, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, has died. He was 83. Wilder died Monday at his home in Stamford, Conn., of complications from Alzheimer's disease, according to a statement from his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman.
"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," the statement read. "He simply couldn't bear the idea of one less smile in the world."
(Score: 2) by julian on Monday August 29 2016, @11:27PM
Another Alzheimer's loss, which means he probably really left us a few years ago. Eternal oblivion is coming for all of us eventually, I hope I'm lucky enough not to have to suffer the additional indignity of a slowly eroding mentality before the end.
I'll have to pull out Young Frankenstein for the weekend.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 29 2016, @11:33PM
I was hoping for a Young Frankenstein Part 2 or something similar with Gene, but no such luck now. In other news... There's a remake of Rocky Horror Picture Show coming up soon, time to get out the makeup and drag costumes.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday August 29 2016, @11:36PM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3TDwa2cDOc [youtube.com]
(Score: 4, Funny) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday August 29 2016, @11:44PM
You dare link the remake? Where'd I put that banhammer?
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 30 2016, @01:24AM
Come on now... You know you want to sing along!
(Score: 2) by edIII on Tuesday August 30 2016, @06:05PM
No, not really. Not all remakes all good, and the original was already great. The new music just doesn't even sound the same, or even as good. I'll pass.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by The Mighty Buzzard on Monday August 29 2016, @11:38PM
We should have a SN screening. I call dibs on Eddie. I've already got the leather and if I stop eating green things I can have the build by the time it's released.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 30 2016, @12:17AM
Stop eating Soylent Green?
(Score: 3, Funny) by The Mighty Buzzard on Tuesday August 30 2016, @01:44AM
There would be some very disappointed ladies if I stopped eating people.
My rights don't end where your fear begins.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Tuesday August 30 2016, @02:17AM
Heeeere, kitty kitty kitty... ;)
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. I have always been here. ---Gaaark 2.0 --
(Score: 2) by takyon on Monday August 29 2016, @11:42PM
http://www.sens.org/research/introduction-to-sens-research/extracellular-junk [sens.org]
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1) by Francis on Tuesday August 30 2016, @02:49AM
Actually, he was relatively sharp in 2013 when he did an interview for the 92nd street Y. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezfVc5MGmIU [youtube.com]
But, knowing that he had Alzheimer's it's a bit more obvious when he's struggling to remember things that he probably wouldn't have had much trouble remembering years earlier. As in the questions that were just asked.
(Score: 2) by snufu on Monday August 29 2016, @11:40PM
You will be missed and never forgotten.
(Score: 2, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 30 2016, @01:29AM
unless we too get Alzheimer's
(Score: 2) by edIII on Tuesday August 30 2016, @06:10PM
This more than anything cracked me up. I can easily see him saying something like that. He was a master of biting sarcasm.
R.I.P Gene and thanks for the laughs.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 1) by kurenai.tsubasa on Tuesday August 30 2016, @02:04AM
Ditto. On to the Summerland with you! Shine on you crazy diamond!
Another greatly creative soul leaving this 3-plane before the year from hell. I don't blame them.
(Score: 2) by PinkyGigglebrain on Tuesday August 30 2016, @06:06AM
So say we all.
"Beware those who would deny you Knowledge, For in their hearts they dream themselves your Master."
(Score: 4, Funny) by PartTimeZombie on Monday August 29 2016, @11:56PM
I will download a torrent of Blazing Saddles in his honour.
(Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 30 2016, @12:22AM
You mean to say you will leech and seed a torrent. I hope you get busted for infringement on the upload. Have a bad day, torrent freak.
(Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 30 2016, @01:32AM
don't see nothing about uploading, only donwloading
(Score: 2) by GungnirSniper on Tuesday August 30 2016, @12:32AM
"He's really not dead, as long as we remember him."
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory was a Christmas week school blow-off time favorite.
Tips for better submissions to help our site grow. [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday August 30 2016, @01:46AM
He was the widower of the brilliant Gilda Radner.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Tuesday August 30 2016, @02:31AM
Put... the candle.... back...
Frau Blücher: Would the doctor care for a... brandy before retiring?
Dr. Frankenstein: No. Thank you.
Frau Blücher: Some varm milk... perhaps?
Dr. Frankenstein: No... thank you very much. No thanks.
Frau Blücher: Ovaltine?
Dr. Frankenstein: NOTHING! Thank you! I'm a little - tired!
Frau Blücher: Then I vill say... goodnight, Herr Doctor.
Dr. Frankenstein: Goodnight, Frau Blücher.
[horses whinny]
'nite, Dr. Fronkensteen :(
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. I have always been here. ---Gaaark 2.0 --
(Score: 2) by snufu on Tuesday August 30 2016, @05:14AM
Dr. Frankenstein: "I'm a rather brilliant surgeon. Perhaps I can help you with that hump."
Igor: "What hump?"
Dr. Frankenstein: (Best pause ever.) "...Let's go."
(Score: 3, Insightful) by aristarchus on Tuesday August 30 2016, @05:13AM
"The President is a ****8**!"
But more, the Waco Kid (prescient there, doncha think?). "You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know... morons." Gene Wilder gave this line deadpan. Beautiful.
Only matched by Mongo's line: "Mongo is just pawn, in game of life."
They don't make them like that anymore.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Geezer on Tuesday August 30 2016, @12:48PM
Few remember how he went on hiatus from performing to care for his dying wife, the late great Gilda Radner. Having buried my own first wife (cancer as well), I can say that there are few trials in life like tending to a loved one in their final months, weeks, and in that final moment.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by FatPhil on Tuesday August 30 2016, @12:55PM
It's a complement that so we have different favourites, it shows that he had wide appeal, and was no one-role wonder.
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people; the smallest discuss themselves
(Score: 2) by deimtee on Tuesday August 30 2016, @01:34PM
Why does nobody ever remember Rhinoceros? I will watch it again in his memory.
One job constant is that good employers have low turnover, so opportunities to join good employers are relatively rare.