NEW YORK (AP) — Gene Wilder, star of 'Willy Wonka' and Mel Brooks comedies, is dead at 83, his family says.
Regarded as the original Willy Wonka in the film released 45 years ago, Wilder burst onto the scene and into popular culture.
Although the movie only reeled in about $4 million at the end of its first run, it has since achieved critical acclaim.
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