Gene was one of Milwaukee’s greatest exports. For me he’ll forever be the Waco Kid in Blazing Saddles, Mel Brooks’ best comedy that I hope Hollywood will never try to remake. Gene’s Willy Wonka was perfect too. His interpretation had this quiet seething which he let loose near the end. I’ve seen the Tim Burton attempt and Johnny Depp was lame because their Wonka was a goofy cartoon character.
There were so many funny movies Gene made with and without Mel Brooks in the Seventies. After Saddles and Young Frankenstein, I have to highly recommend The World’s Greatest Lover with Carol Kane.
Thank you Gene for all your work and humor.