When one thinks of Gene Wilder, it’s impossible not to consider his major 1971 success as Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Yet despite his work as an actor, Wilder also became a great novelist and writer. He was also married four times, but sadly, his third ended in a major tragedy.
Wilder passed away in 2016. Not long after his death, a secret came to light that he had carried with him for years.
We may all know him as Gene Wilder, but the famous actor wasn’t born with that name. Instead, he was welcomed to the world on June 11, 1933, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and named Jerome Silberman. His father, William, was an immigrant from Russia. His mother, Jeanne, was of Polish descent.
Gene Wilder – early life
As Gene grew up, his mother was often ill. More specifically, she had complications from rheumatic heart disease.
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