Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is the first movie I remember seeing Gene Wilder in. He was this whimsical man, full of love for his Oompa Loompas, his factory, and, of course, children. Not all children – Veruca Salt got exactly what she deserved – but for the ones with pure hearts, he gave them the world. I wanted to live in Willy Wonka’s world. Not just because of the candy, though that was definitely part of it, but because of all the color and weirdness. It was me. Gene Wilder gave a voice to my inner child before I ever knew she wouldn’t always have a voice…
Gene was 83 today when he died in his Stamford Connecticut home, and the world seems less colorful at his passing. My thoughts are with his wife and daughter, and those closest to him. Thank you, Gene, for a lifetime of laughter, love, and of course, whimsy.
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