Named Jerome Silberman at birth, Gene Wilder changed his name because he “could not envision a ‘Jerry Silberman’ playing Hamlet.”  He went on to joke that he could not envision a Gene Wilder playing Hamlet, either.

Wilder passed away on August 29, 2016, at the age of 83 due to complications with Alzheimer’s disease.

Known for his roles in Young Frankenstein, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Wilder’s name change reveals aspects of his childhood and development.  He chose his name because he loved Thornton Wilder’s play, Our Town. 

He first chose the name Gene simply because he liked it, but later recognized that he chose it because his mother’s name was Jeanne.  Gene chose his name to honor his mother, whom he had watched experience great sadness.

Wilder’s mother was ill with heart disease during his childhood. He spent much of his time entertaining her, trying to cheer her up. He even pursued a career in comedic acting during the time his mother was suffering from heart disease because he wanted to put a smile on her face.

In fact, Wilder’s nephew said about his uncle: “The decision to wait until this time to disclose [Gene Wilder’s] 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. [Gene Wilder] simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world.”

Wilder was not famous overnight: his first professional acting gig was his role of the Second Officer in Twelfth Night.

However, after he auditioned for the role of Willy Wonka in 1971, his career took off when the film’s popularity peaked in the 80s.

His performance in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was ranked 38 on Premier Magazine’s “Greatest Movie Characters of All Time” and was nominated for a Golden Globe, while his performance as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein was ranked ninth on Premier Magazine’s “100 Greatest Performances of All Time”. ”

Aside from his acting career, Wilder was a philanthropist.

After his wife, Gilda Radner, died of ovarian cancer, Wilder co-founded Gilda’s Club in 1991. Gilda’s club advocates for early diagnoses, because if Wilder’s wife had known about her cancer sooner, she could have survived. The organization provides support to victims and families combatting the disease.

As senior English major Caitlyn Abela puts it, “Gene Wilder was an inspiring man.  He brought a lot of joy to people through his acting, especially his rendition of Willy Wonka and reminded his viewers to maintain creativity and imagination.”