Freddie2 Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 He was 83. 2016 is an absolute shit year for celebrity deaths. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 NOOOOOO! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvsbway Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 So weird. I'm listening to The Producers right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 Good day, sir! :( This has truly saddened me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie2 Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 The more this sinks in the more devastated I am. Mel Brooks' statement: "Gene Wilder- One of the truly great talents of our time. He blessed every film we did with his magic and he blessed me with his friendship." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie2 Posted August 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 According to his nephew, Gene was privately suffering from Alzheimer's for the last three years. Apparently Ella Fitzgerald singing Over The Rainbow was the music that was playing when he passed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted August 29, 2016 Report Share Posted August 29, 2016 According to his nephew, Gene was privately suffering from Alzheimer's for the last three years. Apparently Ella Fitzgerald singing Over The Rainbow was the music that was playing when he passed. I can't handle this. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted August 30, 2016 Report Share Posted August 30, 2016 Mel Brooks is on Jimmy Fallon tonight. I hope it features a salute to Gene. (My TV guide indicates this is a new episode, but it has been known to lie before) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryCarter Posted August 30, 2016 Report Share Posted August 30, 2016 Mel Brooks is on Jimmy Fallon tonight. I hope it features a salute to Gene. (My TV guide indicates this is a new episode, but it has been known to lie before) It is new. Mel is going to be presenting Blazing Saddles at Radio City Music Hall on Thursday. I'm sure the night will be much different than originally planned. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freddie2 Posted August 30, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2016 Just in case you weren't feeling awful enough, here's the full, heartbreaking statement from Gene's nephew: It is with indescribable sadness and blues, but with spiritual gratitude for the life lived that I announce the passing of husband, parent, and universal artist Gene Wilder, at his home in Stamford Connecticut. It is almost unbearable for us to contemplate our life without him. The cause was complications from Alzheimers Disease with which he co-existed for the last three years. The choice to keep this private was his choice, in talking with us and making a decision as a family. We understand for all the emotional and physical challenges this situation presented we have been among the lucky ones—this illness-pirate, unlike in so many cases, never stole his ability to recognize those that were closest to him, nor took command of his central-gentle-life affirming core personality. It took enough, but not that. 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. He simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world. He continued to enjoy art, music, and kissing with his leading lady of the last twenty-five years, Karen. He danced down a church aisle at a wedding as parent of the groom and ring bearer, held countless afternoon movie western marathons and delighted in the the company of beloved ones. He is survived by Karen, Jordan, and the Webbs (Kevin, Gretchen, Tucker, Spencer), along Jordan’s wife Elizabeth. Gene's sister Corinne, predeceased him in January of this year. He was eighty-three and passed holding our hands with the same tenderness and love he exhibited as long as I can remember. As our hands clutched and he performed one last breath the music speaker, which was set to random, began to blare out one of his favorites: Ella Fitzgerald. There is a picture of he and Ella meeting at a London Bistro some years ago that are among each or cherished possessions. She was singing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," as he was taken away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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