Within minutes of Gene Wilder’s death being announced on Sunday (29 August) evening, tributes began pouring in on Twitter.
The actor won the hearts of many film fans during his huge career, and will be best remembered for his star turn as the eccentric chocolatier in ‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’.
One of the first to pay tribute was Gene’s frequent collaborator Mel Brooks, who tweeted his sadness at the news:
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
Other celebrities to share their condolences include Stephen Fry and Russell Crowe:
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
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 great genius of comedy Gene Wilder passed today. RIP dear one. You are free to grace the heavens with your light that lifted us all
— Goldie Hawn (@goldiehawn) August 30, 2016
Goodbye, Gene Wilder. You were one of the great screen comedians. Original and surprising every time.
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder,always giving us the Most!! R I P!!!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) August 29, 2016
I’ll miss our great funny friend Gene Wilder, who forever blazed new comedy trails... and saddles.
— Kermit the Frog (@KermitTheFrog) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder was a giant of comedy. His legacy of films is inspiring. A true genius..
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) 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
R. I. P. Gene wilder. Richard pryors right hand man 🙏🏾🌹💫💫🌟 https://t.co/mTjuQxM6F1 pic.twitter.com/VPU7X0rWEQ
— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) 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
Gene Wilder: 'What if I’m not funny? What if I fail?' https://t.co/kaU9BI5L2p What a great and beautiful soul x
— Minnie Driver (@driverminnie) August 29, 2016
How sad to hear of the passing of #GeneWilder. What an enchanting actor.... . His films helped to make my childhood magical. Thank you ❤️
— Kirsty Gallacher (@TheRealKirstyG) August 29, 2016
R.I.P. Gene Wilder.
— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder passed away. Wow what a lovely career. Wonka, Dr. Frankenstein, Jim the Waco Kid... Sending strength to his wife of 25 yrs. #RIP
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder. What a true legend! R.I.P!
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) August 30, 2016
Gene Wilder ... Hat doffed x
— Robbie Williams (@robbiewilliams) August 30, 2016
Thank you Gene Wilder for the wonderful, the weird, the pure imagination. One of my greatest heroes. 🎩
— josh groban (@joshgroban) August 29, 2016
a beautiful human -- https://t.co/hYnsgQF47P via @youtube
— Rosie (@Rosie) August 29, 2016
Alzheimer's Disease took another legend from us. R.I.P. Gene Wilder and blessings to all who loved him and and cared for him.
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) August 29, 2016
RIP #GeneWilder. Thanks for the years of laughter. You will be missed.
— Larry King (@kingsthings) August 29, 2016
My reaction to the great Gene Wilder leaving us was a lot like the man himself, here. Thanks for the laughs, G.W. https://t.co/vOAaztEiF1
— Lauren Laverne (@laurenlaverne) August 29, 2016
Gene Wilder has died. Sad news, but such a life well lived. For me, Young Frankenstein just pips Wonka, but so many wonderful performances.
— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) August 29, 2016
Together again. RIP #GeneWilder true master of his craft https://t.co/iH4SwyXzFU
— Lucy Liu (@LucyLiu) August 30, 2016
Brilliant. Amazingly funny. The only reason I eat chocolate. #genewilder will be missed. pic.twitter.com/PL8S9EkLhh
— Adam West (@therealadamwest) August 30, 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
There was a time in the 70s where you knew a film was a comic masterpiece because it starred Gene Wilder.
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) August 29, 2016
So sad that the inspiringly talented #GeneWilder has left us. He was one of the kindest souls I've ever met. 😢 pic.twitter.com/JoEUa2IS0s
— Sean Hayes (@SeanHayes) August 30, 2016
No hashtags because I want it to just be about the man, the husband, the genius Gene Wilder. Thank you for all the gifts you have left us
— Sarah Michelle (@SarahMGellar) August 30, 2016
This is maybe my favorite line ever. I repeat it all the time.
— Kyle MacLachlan (@Kyle_MacLachlan) August 30, 2016
'My name's Jim, but most people call me...Jim.' #GeneWilder #BlazingSaddles
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
So sad to hear about Gene Wilder. One of my Heroes. Comedic wizard! RIP pic.twitter.com/IDZsC6V7Hs
— Leigh Francis (@LeighFrancis) August 29, 2016
There was a time in the 70s where you knew a film was a comic masterpiece because it starred Gene Wilder.
— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) August 29, 2016
always loved gene wilder as a funny, fathoms-deep mock turtle in that slept on alice in wonderland adaptation from 1999
— Lorde (@lorde) 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
Absolutely terrible news about Gene Wilder, such an amazing entertainer and a true loss to the world. He will not be forgotten.
— Millie Bobby Brown (@milliebbrown) August 29, 2016
“Time is a precious thing. Never waste it.” -Gene Wilder.
— Bryce Dallas Howard (@BryceDHoward) August 29, 2016
Rest in peace you beautiful genius. pic.twitter.com/jGy87leXNH
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
"Good Day Sir!"
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) August 29, 2016
RIP Gene Wilder
My reaction to the great Gene Wilder leaving us was a lot like the man himself, here. Thanks for the laughs, G.W. https://t.co/vOAaztEiF1
— Lauren Laverne (@laurenlaverne) August 29, 2016
Oh boy, Gene Wilder. The vulnerability in his eyes & the rage in his perfect voice. Incredible comic actor x
— Robert Webb (@arobertwebb) August 29, 2016
The sad news of Gene’s death was confirmed by his family on Sunday.
The comedic actor had previously been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1999, although he had been in remission since the following year.
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