Gene Wilder on Wonka, Acting, and His Mother

On August 29, 2016, we lost Gene Wilder. He was a father, an actor, a writer, an Army medic, and the original silver screen Willy Wonka. In all his roles, Wilder's gentle personality came through, even in his his sharpest moments of wit.

In this five-minute animated video, Wilder—who was born on June 11, 1933—explains why he became an actor, how he rewrote a crucial scene in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, and how his mother has shaped his life. This is gentle, funny, and wise. I would expect no less from Mr. Wonka himself.

So unwrap your Wonka Bar and enjoy this free golden ticket—it's scrumdiddlyumptious!