Gene Wilder, star of 'Willy Wonka' and Mel Brooks comedies, is dead at 83, his family says - KTVU San Francisco

Gene Wilder, star of 'Willy Wonka' and Mel Brooks comedies, is dead at 83, his family says - KTVU San Francisco

KTVU San Francisco

Gene Wilder, star of 'Willy Wonka' and Mel Brooks comedies, is dead at 83, his family says KTVU San Francisco A key break came when he co-starred with Bancroft in Bertolt Brecht's "Mother Courage," and met Brooks, her future husband. "I was having trouble with one little section of the play, and he gave me tips on how to act. He said, 'That's a song and dance.