Gene Wilder is showing his Golden Ticket to the gates of Heaven. Unfortunately it’s true, comedic genius Wilder passes at age 83. Wilder passed August 29, due to complications with his Alzheimer’s.

Who was Gene Wilder? You may remember him as the first Willy Wonka in the original Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory movie. An older generation would remember him from his performance in Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. Wilder got his start in the comedic show The Directors and from there his career as a comedic actor took off. He went off to star in many films and living to the age of 83 before his final curtains closed.

Now you may ask, “How does one die from Alzheimer’s?” Alzheimer’s is a progressively disease that destroys one’s memory and other important mental functions. People with Alzheimer’s don’t exactly die from the disease itself though. The victims actually die from the complications it brings. Since it destroys important mental functions, the victims lose the capability to do instinctive tasks such as eating, drinking, and even breathing. Sadly the complications caught up to the beloved actor.

The actor himself never came out to the public with this information though. No, instead he kept it a secret, and this information was only announced to the public as his cause of death. Wilder didn’t want to release his medical disability to anyone because, “He simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world.” Gene Wilder truly was an acting and comedic legend. He will, without a doubt, be missed by many.