London [UK], Aug. 31 : Social media was showered with posts related to Gene Wilder, after his demise due to complications from Alzheimer's on August 29 at the age of 83.
While celebs like Jim Carrey, Stephen Fry, and Ben Stiller paying tribute on Twitter, multiple late night hosts in the US shared stories about him, reports the Independent.
James Corden shared a rather brilliant anecdote about the time the comic legend rejected his advances to appear on his 'The Late Late Show.' The story follows that the two were sitting backstage in New York when they began chatting, which left the door open for Corden reaching out to Wilder, asking him to appear on the very first 'The Late Late Show.' However, the response was rather brilliant.
"Dearest James, I don't do or go where you were hoping, but I'll be looking for you. With my love, Gene" Speaking about this rejection letter, Corden reportedly, said, "In the history of people saying no to things, it couldn't have been nicer." Wilder was best known for his role as Willy Wonka in the 1971 big screen version of 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'.
He also played memorable roles in Mel Brooks' films 'The Producers', 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein.' The actor, who made his acting debut in 1960's, was twice nominated for Oscar for his role in 'The Producers'and for co-penning 'Young Frankenstein.' Wilder also worked in television in 1962's 'The Sound of Hunting', 'The Interrogators', 'Windfall' and in the 1966 TV production of 'Death of a Salesman' with Lee J.
Cobb. In total he has worked in over 30 big screen and television productions. Describing, his final moments, his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman, in a statement gave fans the details of his demise and wrote: "He was eighty-three and passed holding our hands with the same tenderness and love he exhibited as long as I can remember.
As our hands clutched and he performed one last breath the music speaker, which was set to random, began to blare out one of his favorites: Ella Fitzgerald.
There is a picture of he and Ella meeting at a London Bistro some years ago that are among each or cherished possessions.
She was singing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," as he was taken away.".
Source: ANI
