Gene Wilder dead: Movie icon, star of ‘Willy Wonka’ dies at age 83

Actor Gene Wilder, the star of classic movies like “Young Frankenstein” and “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” has died, according to reports.

Wilder died Sunday at his home in Stamford, Conn. from complications from Alzheimer’s disease, his nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, said. He was 83.

Wilder was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years ago, but kept his condition private, his nephew said.

“The decision to wait until this time to disclose his condition wasn’t vanity, but more so that the countless young children that would smile or call out to him “there’s Willy Wonka,” would not have to be then exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and causing delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion. He simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world,” >Walker-Pearlman said in statement.