Tributes pour in as Gene Wilder dies at the age of 83

Tributes have poured in from all over the world this morning, upon the sad news that legendary actor Gene Wilder has passed away.

The Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory star is said to have died from complications of Alzheimer’s disease, on Monday, at his home in Stamford, Connecticut. He was 83 years old.

In a statement released to the media, Wilder’s nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, explained why the Oscar-nominated actor didn’t disclose his illness.

“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 said.

Pearlman added: “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 company of beloved ones.”

As if that tribute wasn’t beautiful enough, various figures from the world of cinema have taken to Twitter to share their own dedications to the actor.

Jim Carrey tweeted: “Gene Wilder was one of the funniest and sweetest energies ever to take a human form. If there's a heaven he has a Golden Ticket.”

Meanwhile, director Mel Brooks added: “Gene Wilder-One of the truly great talents of our time. He blessed every film we did with his magic & he blessed me with his friendship.”

RIP #GeneWilder. Thanks for the years of laughter. You will be missed.
— Larry King (@kingsthings) August 29, 2016

Gene Wilder was one of the funniest and sweetest energies ever to take a human form. If there's a heaven he has a Golden Ticket. ;^)
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 29, 2016