Gene Wilder, Iconic Star of Willy Wonka, Is Dead at 83 by K.M. McFarland from on 2016-08-29 21:54 (#1S1K1) The star of many Mel Brooks comedies, and later a string of buddy movies with Richard Pryor, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease. The post Gene Wilder, Iconic Star of Willy Wonka, Is Dead at 83 appeared first on WIRED.