As news of actor Gene Wilder's death spread Monday, his fellow entertainers, including frequent collaborator Mel Brooks, expressed their appreciation of Wilder, who starred in iconic comedy films including "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory," "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein."
Wilder died at home of complications from Alzheimer's disease. He was 83.
Celebrities and friends immediately took to social media to share poignant condolences and memories of the comedy legend.
Gene Wilder-One of the truly great talents of our time. He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) August 29, 2016
R.I.P to the incomparable Gene Wilder. You filled so many childhoods, mine included, with wonder, laughter & joy. Thank you.
— Zelda Williams (@zeldawilliams) August 29, 2016
"Good Day Sir!"
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 29, 2016
RIP Gene Wilder
Gene Wilder was a giant of comedy. His legacy of films is inspiring. A true genius..
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder as one of my earliest heroes. Blazing Saddles, Willy Wonka, are CLINICS on comic acting. Sad to hear of his passing.
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) August 29, 2016
RIP Gene Wilder pic.twitter.com/TuMQheQCa4
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) August 29, 2016
I loved him so much. Just looking at Gene Wilder always made my heart smile. Rest in peace.
— Savannah Guthrie (@SavannahGuthrie) August 29, 2016
RIP #GeneWilder absolute master. Brilliant in so many ways. His life's work is timeless and everlasting. pic.twitter.com/hYHYk8hm4h
— John Cena (@JohnCena) August 29, 2016
Rest in Peace, Gene Wilder...
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) August 29, 2016
"Nowhere special. I always wanted to go there." #RIP #GeneWilder
— Taran Killam (@TaranKillam) August 29, 2016
R.I.P Gene Wilder. As funny as they come.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder had a sweetness and a comedic grace befitting a Silent Film era star. R.I.P.
— Richard Roeper (@richardroeper) August 29, 2016
Farewell #GeneWilder, comic genius. Thank you for all those happy happy hours. pic.twitter.com/O6oHS9TQqX
— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) August 29, 2016
GENE WILDER, the face of childhood joy for many a generation, has passed. Farewell, sweet genius. Gilda awaits you. https://t.co/pybXNFlGaq
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) August 29, 2016
Rest well Gene Wilder. You taught me how to feel.
— Melissa Gilbert (@MEGBusfield) August 29, 2016
And you made me laugh.
"So shines a good deed in a weary world"
I just bought a vintage Blazing Saddles poster. 3 days ago. Gene Wilder made my ️ dance - you bad, and now may you rest in peace.
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) August 29, 2016
A man who lit up the world with his joy and genius. I can't say what it meant to act with him and get to know his heart. ️RIP #GeneWilder
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) August 29, 2016
A genius I stole from constantly, and one I was humbled & thrilled to work with. RIP #GeneWilder pic.twitter.com/hCFyET1jji
— Eric McCormack (@EricMcCormack) August 29, 2016
I just read my Willy Wonka passed away. #RIPower Gene Wilder
— Freddie Prinze Jr (@RealFPJr) August 29, 2016
Thanks for stopping by Earth for a while. pic.twitter.com/gBqYOsdWWp
— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) August 29, 2016
Thank you Gene Wilder for the wonderful, the weird, the pure imagination. One of my greatest heroes.
— josh groban (@joshgroban) August 29, 2016
I saw Blazing Saddles 7 times at the cinema with my school friends . George St. Cows outside.
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder you were a genius. Rest in Peace.
The genius, the talent, the actor, the original, the artist, the storyteller, the creative, the iconic, the great, great, great Gene Wilder.
— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) August 29, 2016
RIP to the legendary Gene Wilder. 2016 has been painful so far. pic.twitter.com/7nbqY7Unva
— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) August 29, 2016
He was always able to make us smile, and that is no small feat. Rest with the stars, Gene Wilder. pic.twitter.com/kxis66bIGd
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 29, 2016
"We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams" #genewilder #genius pic.twitter.com/KkUeuG4i52
— Topher Grace (@TopherGrace) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder was the best.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) August 29, 2016
R. I. P. Gene wilder. Richard pryors right hand man https://t.co/mTjuQxM6F1 pic.twitter.com/VPU7X0rWEQ
— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder was one of the funniest and sweetest energies ever to take a human form. If there's a heaven he has a Golden Ticket. ;^)
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 29, 2016
RIP dear, wonderful Gene Wilder. What an influence you were in my life. Thank you for all that joy. https://t.co/vzheeZCGLz
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder touched my life, my heart and my funny bone with his unique and genius work. May he rest with peace and joy. #gene wilder
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder--
— Jeffrey Tambor (@jeffreytambor) August 29, 2016
There are no words--
Artist
Inspirer
and
Hilarious
just
Brilliantly brilliant
Gene Wilder. One of my favorites. He just understood comedy on a whole other level. Even when he was alive his legacy was felt. Thanks Gene!
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) August 29, 2016
“We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dreams.“ farewell Gene Wilder, you were a treasure
— Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) August 29, 2016