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His life, his work, his values

The Legacy.

A comedic actor who took feeling seriously. A leading man who loved being at home. A painter, a writer, a husband. Here is the story of Gene.

Gene and Karen Wilder on their wedding day
A love letter

The many colors of Gene’s life.

He made people laugh until they cried, and then made them feel things they didn’t know they could feel. Gene Wilder was a comedic actor, a writer, a painter, a husband, a friend. He was also a quiet philanthropist who believed the world got better when people were brave enough to be kind to one another.

This site is a love letter to all of it, the laughter, the brushstrokes, the loves of his life, and the work he kept doing long after the cameras stopped rolling.

What he gave us

Seven things to know about Gene.

He started on the stage.

Long before Willy Wonka, Gene trained in the theatre, including the British Old Vic. He never lost his love for live performance.

He defined comedies of the era.

From The Producers to Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, Silver Streak, and Stir Crazy, he co-created some of the most beloved films of the 20th century.

He was a serious painter.

At home with Karen, Gene painted in watercolor, portraits, landscapes, daily moments. The Wilder Palette shares this hidden body of work for the first time.

He was a writer.

Memoirs, novels, and screenplays. He wrote with the same warmth that defined his on-screen presence.

He loved Karen.

His marriage to Karen Boyer Wilder was the steady, joyful center of his later life. She continues the legacy he helped her build.

He gave back, quietly.

Gilda’s Club, cancer awareness, memory care, the arts, he supported the causes that mattered without seeking the spotlight.

The causes he championed

What Gene supported.

Quietly, deliberately, and often without a spotlight, Gene backed causes he believed in. These are the ones his family and closest collaborators know he held closest to his heart.

Cancer support

Co-founding Gilda’s Club

Helped create a community of support for people living with cancer and their families, in honor of Gilda Radner.

Cancer awareness

Ovarian cancer advocacy

Advocated for ovarian cancer awareness and research following the loss of Gilda Radner.

Children & families

Kids In Crisis

Supported children and families through organizations like Kids In Crisis.

Community

Fairfield, CT programs

Championed the arts, education, and community organizations in Fairfield, Connecticut, close to his heart.

Accessibility

Hearing loss awareness

Raised awareness and support for those living with hearing loss.

Hunger relief

Food banks & families in need

Supported food banks and organizations helping families in need.

Medical research

Memorial Sloan Kettering

Advanced medical research, including stem cell research initiatives at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

Independent cinema

Avon Theatre, Stamford CT

A beloved local independent movie theater Gene championed as a home for film in his community.

Sport & dignity

Special Olympics

Supported the Special Olympics and the athletes it celebrates.

Community

Matthew Gaffney Foundation

Supported the mission and work of the Matthew Gaffney Foundation.

The legacy today continues this work through the causes on our Support the Causes page.

“If you’re not gonna go all the way, why go at all?”

Gene Wilder

Want to dig deeper?

Explore the films, the paintings, and the work the legacy is doing today in Gene’s name.

Films & stage The art Our causes