But you could also dedicate a whole section of Gene Wilder’s comedic career to the characters he created with the brilliant Mel Brooks in such biting satires as Blazing Saddles, The Producers and Young Frankenstein.
Considering the sheer number of memorable roles Gene Wilder had on his professional acting resume, it’s shocking that the one that stands out has to be Willy Wonka.
Not a week goes by that I don’t quote Wilder as Wonka, though it’s usually to shout at my own kids, “You lose!
Saddles, in particular, wrestled with racism at a time where the industry was figuring out how best to comment on some hot-button social issues.