Gene Wilder Quotes: 13 Sayings On 'Willy Wonka' Actor’s Death Anniversary

Actor Gene Wilder, who starred in movies like "Blazing Saddles," "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory" and "Stir Crazy" died Aug. 29, 2016, of Alzheimer’s disease, at the age of 83.

Wilder, whose real name was Jerome Silberman, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on June 11, 1933. At the age of 26, he took the stage name Gene Wilder.

Wilder began his movie career with "Bonnie and Clyde" in 1967 and became a favorite of writer and director Mel Brooks. With roles in films like "Young Frankenstein," Wilder became an unforgettable comedy icon in the industry.

Here are some of the legendary actor's famous sayings to remember him by on his second death anniversary, collected from Brainy Quote:

“Success is a terrible thing and a wonderful thing. If you can enjoy it, it's wonderful. If it starts eating away at you, and they're waiting for more from me, or what can I do to top this, then you're in trouble. Just do what you love. That's all I want to do.”

“I never thought of it as God. I didn't know what to call it. I don't believe in devils, but demons I do because everyone at one time or another has some kind of a demon, even if you call it by another name, that drives them.”

“What do actors really want? To be great actors? Yes, but you can't buy talent, so it's best to leave the word 'great' out of it. I think to be believed, onstage or onscreen, is the one hope that all actors share.”

“I'm going to tell you what my religion is. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Period. Terminato. Finito.”

“If my mother hadn't laughed at the funny things I did, I probably wouldn't be a comic actor. After she had her first heart attack, the doctor said, 'Try to make her laugh.' And that was the first time I tried to make anyone laugh.”

“I never used to believe in fate. I used to think you make your own life, and then you call it fate.”

“I trust if your life is right, the right things will happen at the right time. If the chords are in harmony inside, I think other things will happen in the same way. That sounded highfalutin' to me once, but I believe it now.”

“Pride is not the worst of sins. In fact, it's one of the most interesting ones.”

“I love the art of acting, and I love film, because you always have another chance if you want it. You know, if we - if this isn't going well, you can't say - well, you could say - let's stop. Let's start over again, Gene, because you were too nervous.”

“I love acting, especially if it's a fantasy of some kind, where it's not just realistic, it's not naturalism.”

“What good is a character who's always winking at the audience to let them in on the secret?”

“We all grew up on movies with scenes where the actor is lying, and you know he's lying, but he wants to make sure you know it's a lie, and so he overacts and all but winks at you, and everybody in the world except for the girl he's talking to knows he's lying.”

“When you fall in love, and you're very young, you think that that's the love of your life. And maybe it is, but it usually doesn't turn out that way.”