Mel Brooks Among Jewish Stars Eulogizing Comedic Film Giant Gene Wilder on Social Media
by Shiryn Ghermezian
Jewish celebrities have flooded Twitter with tributes to comedic giant Gene Wilder, who died on Sunday at the age of 83 of complications from Alzheimer’s disease.
Director Mel Brooks called the actor-director-screenwriter “one of the truly great talents of our time [who] blessed every film we did together with his special magic and he blessed my life with his friendship. He will be so missed.”
Comedian and actor Billy Crystal called the “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” star — who was born Jerome Silberman –“a giant of comedy” and “a true genius.” He added, “His legacy of films is inspiring.”
“Scandal” actor Tony Goldwyn wrote, “We lost one of the greats today. How deeply you will be missed.”
“Seinfeld” star Jason Alexander and actor Stephen Fry also issued Twitter eulogies.
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
Farewell #GeneWilder, comic genius. Thank you for all those happy happy hours. pic.twitter.com/O6oHS9TQqX — Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) August 29, 2016
Wilder’s longtime friend Carol Reiner remembered the comedian as “a gifted actor whose films I suggest you re-visit if you want to be thoroughly entertained.” The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences thanked Wilder “for all that you’ve given us,” adding, “You’ll be missed.”