R.I.P. Gene Wilder

I was sad to hear of the passing of Gene Wilder yesterday. He has always been a favorite of the Richmond family. The kids loved “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” when they were little, and then graduated to some of his great collaborations with Mel Brooks in “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein”. I remember when he was a big star in the late 70’s and early 80’s in movies like “Stir Crazy”, “Silver Streak”, “The Frisco Kid”, “The World’s Greatest Lover”, and “Haunted Honeymoon”.  I haven’t seen any of those movies in 30+ years, but I remember them fondly. He was an understated but enormous comedic talent.

I drew him along with his “Young Frankenstein” co-stars Peter Boyle and Marty Feldman in a cameo in MAD #445’s parody of “Van Helsing”… The cameo was more entertaining than the entire actual film. Close up above. Here’s the full panel:

Rest in peace Mr. Wilder… say hello to Gilda for us.