What is Gene Wilder's birth name?

Jerome Silberman, well-known as Gene Wilder (born June 11, 1933), is an American stage and screen comic actor, director, screenwriter, author, and activist.

Wilder began his career on stage, and made his screen debut in the TV-series Armstrong Circle Theatre in 1962.

Wilder is known for his portrayal of Willy Wonka in a musical fantasy film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) and for his four films with Richard Pryor: Silver Streak (1976), Stir Crazy (1980), See No Evil, Hear No Evil (1989), and Another You (1991).

Wilder has directed and written several of his films, including The Woman in Red (1984).

Gene Wilder died on the 29 of August, 2016. He was 83 years old and suffering from Alzheimer's. As the members of his family say, he died listening to one of his favorite songs, a rendition of "Over the Rainbow" by Ella Fitzgerald.

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62 Comments

Nicole Toma-Tolman

Okay, I had no idea Gene Wilder wasn't his real name, but I do know Young Frankenstein was HILARIOUS, and so was his wife, Gilda Radner. Anyone remember her from SNL? (Hint: "This is Rosanne, Rosanna Danna....") ^_^

erik hughes

I'm sorry; no mention of "The Producers", "Blazing Saddles" and "Young Frankenstein" (which he co-wrote)? I grew up in Milwaukee as well, and knew this right off the bat.

marinaking

I guessed correctly.😎 I too, loved Gilda on SNL, Nicole Toma-Tolman. & no one has ever been able to replace her.

Joanne Serin

Sasha is a differenty person (Oy, so different!), and Silberman was the only Jewish-sounding name. So that had to be it.

Leisure

Loved him in Young Frankenstein.

patrhea

💜 Gene Wilder and everything he ever did on screen. He and Gilda a perfect match. Miss them both.

mensamule

Gilda was a favorite of mine and they were so good together. In the early days of her cancer, she was not diagnosed because doctors kept blowing her off as a hypochondriac. As Gene said, she didn’t have to die. Gene warned women of the danger of Johnson baby powder back then too.

marilynmitri

What a talent! And those eyes of his--so naughty! And the wild hair! Gene was one of a kind, and I miss him.

Della cina

I didn't know he wrote Young Frankenstein ( Frankensteen.) I just loved him!! I also loved his wife. I wonder if growing up with those 2 as parents was as crazy as it might have been. Lmbo !!!

Della cina

I loved him in 'Blazing Saddles'. He was awesome & I will miss his humorous take on the roles he played.

Nancy Mueller

I agree about Young Frankenstein. It’s one of our favorites, especially the Frau Blücher bit (hint:the sound of horses neighing in fright). I had no idea about Wilder’s real name but the Silberman was the most Jewish sounding so...