Mel Brooks has recalled the “sad” aftermath of his best friend, the late actor Gene Wilder, being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
In the new documentary “In Memory of Gene Wilder,” Brooks talks about his friendship with Wilder, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease around 2010, and describes the steps he took to help the “Willy Wonka” star’s memory. He spoke in detail.
Brooks, who first met Wilder in the 1960s, said in a People magazine documentary: “I called him a number of times thinking, ‘If I give him enough introductions, maybe I can get him out of this.'” Told. “Insanity [on] My portion. He was suffering from this terrible disease. We couldn’t talk for too long after he got it. I was very sad and cried a lot. ”
Author claims Gene Wilder wanted to be remembered for “Young Frankenstein” rather than “Willy Wonka”
Actor Gene Wilder and writer/composer Mel Brooks appear at the curtain call during the opening night of Mel Brooks’ new musical Young Frankenstein at the Hilton Theater in New York City on November 8, 2007. (Photo credit: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic) (Bruce Grikas/FilmMagic)
Wilder passed away in 2016 at the age of 83.
Brooks said she was “inconsolable for several weeks” after Wilder’s death. “He lived his life loudly and eloquently. He was an outstanding actor and an outstanding human being.”
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“I miss him enjoying my humor,” he added. “I could make him laugh, sometimes clutching his stomach, hitting the ground, rolling around on the ground laughing. That’s his real price as a cartoonist, and he paid that price. It is.”
Gene Wilder wrote Young Frankenstein with Mel Brooks. He starred in the film while Brooks served as director. (Getty Images)
In the documentary, Wilder’s widow, Karen Boyer, spoke about how her late husband’s withdrawal affected her.
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“He never accepted it. he had Alzheimer’s disease, And maybe by the time we found out what it was, his hippocampus wouldn’t let him remember,” she said in the film.
Gene Wilder and Karen Boyer were married in 1991. (Getty Images)
“So I don’t know if he knew that. When I saw him walk away from me, I felt sick to my stomach, but I just kept smiling and telling him everything was going to be okay.” I had to tell you.”
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Boyer added, “Gene was amazing. I think he was the best husband anyone could ask for. To love and be loved is the greatest gift anyone could ask for, and we I had that,” he added.
