纪念演员吉恩·怀尔德

Remembering Actor Gene¹ Wilder 纪念演员吉恩·怀尔德

This week, the United States lost a beloved actor and funnyman. Gene Wilder, the wild-haired star of unforgettable comedy films, died Monday at the age of 83.

A family member said Wilder was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease three years ago. He said the actor kept the condition private so he would not disappoint fans.

"He simply couldn't bear the idea of one less smile in the world,'' his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman said.

Gene Wilder started his acting² career on the stage. However, millions of people knew him from his work in film. His movies with director Mel Brooks³ were especially famous. They included "The Producers,'' "Blazing Saddles'' and "Young Frankenstein.''

'Truly great talent of our time'

In a statement Monday, Brooks wrote, "Gene Wilder, one of the truly great talents of our time, is gone. He blessed every film we did together with his special magic and he blessed my life with his friendship. He will be so missed.''

Wilder was a master at playing nervous characters trapped in impossible, but funny, situations. In 1974’s "Young Frankenstein,'' Wilder’s character sought to build a living person from the dead.

Wilder played Leo Bloom in the 1968 film "The Producers,'' about a man who tries to produce a costly⁴ failure on Broadway. The play, “Springtime for Hitler,” becomes a surprising hit instead.

Wilder could play cool-headed characters like the gunslinger in "Blazing Saddles.''

He also made millions of child fans with his portrayal⁵ as the main character in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.''

'But I don't think I'm that funny'

Many have posted messages on social media about the loss of Gene Wilder.

"The greatest comedic mind of my childhood is now gone,'' tweeted actor Josh Gad⁶.

Comedian⁷ and actor Jim Carrey posted, "Gene Wilder was one of the funniest and sweetest energies ever to take a human form.''

Wilder was close friends with Richard Pryor. Their opposite personas - Wilder the worrier and the easy-going Pryor - were perfect for making comedy. They starred in four films together: "Silver Streak⁸,'' "Stir Crazy,'' "See No Evil, Hear No Evil'' and "Another You.''

They created several memorable⁹ scenes, such as when Pryor provided Wilder with directions on how to "act black'' as they tried to avoid police in "Silver Streak.''

However, Wilder said in a 2013 interview that he was no comedian. He told interviewer Robert Osborne it was the biggest misunderstanding of him.

“But I don't think I'm that funny. I think I can be in the movies.''

An early performer

Wilder was born Jerome Silberman on June 11, 1933. His father was a Russian emigre. His mother was of Polish descent.

When he was six, Wilder's mother suffered a heart attack that left her disabled. He soon began performing comedy at home to entertain her. He started taking acting classes at age 12. In 1961, he made his Broadway debut¹⁰. That is when he took on the professional name of Gene Wilder.

Wilder was married three times. His second marriage, to Saturday Night Live performer Gilda Radner, ended when she died of ovarian cancer in 1989.

Wilder spent much of his time after her death speaking in support of cancer research. He also opened a support center for cancer patients. In 1991, he spoke¹¹ before Congress about the need for increased testing for cancer.

Wilder is survived by his wife, Karen, whom he married in 1991, and his daughter Katherine from an earlier marriage.

Words in This Story

comedy – n. a play, movie, television program, novel, etc., that is meant to make people laugh?

disappoint – v. to make (someone) unhappy by not being as good as expected or by not doing something that was hoped for or expected?

persona – n. the way you behave, talk, etc., with other people that causes them to see you as a particular kind of person: the image or personality that a person presents to other people?

entertain – v. to perform for (an audience): to provide amusement for (someone) by singing, acting, etc.?

debut – n. the first time an actor, musician, athlete, etc., does something in public or for the public

1 gene   

n.遗传因子，基因

参考例句：

• A single gene may have many effects.单一基因可能具有很多种效应。
• The targeting of gene therapy has been paid close attention.其中基因治疗的靶向性是值得密切关注的问题之一。

2 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

3 brooks   

n.小溪( brook的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Brooks gave the business when Haas caught him with his watch. 哈斯抓到偷他的手表的布鲁克斯时，狠狠地揍了他一顿。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Ade and Brooks exchanged blows yesterday and they were severely punished today. 艾德和布鲁克斯昨天打起来了，今天他们受到严厉的惩罚。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

5 portrayal   

n.饰演；描画

参考例句：

• His novel is a vivid portrayal of life in a mining community.他的小说生动地描绘了矿区的生活。
• The portrayal of the characters in the novel is lifelike.该书中的人物写得有血有肉。

6 gad   

n.闲逛；v.闲逛

参考例句：

• He is always on the gad.他老是闲荡作乐。
• Let it go back into the gloaming and gad with a lot of longing.就让它回到暮色中，满怀憧憬地游荡吧。

7 comedian   

n.喜剧演员；滑稽演员

参考例句：

• The comedian tickled the crowd with his jokes.喜剧演员的笑话把人们逗乐了。
• The comedian enjoyed great popularity during the 30's.那位喜剧演员在三十年代非常走红。

8 streak   

n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动

参考例句：

• The Indians used to streak their faces with paint.印第安人过去常用颜料在脸上涂条纹。
• Why did you streak the tree?你为什么在树上刻条纹？

9 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

10 debut   

n.首次演出，初次露面

参考例句：

• That same year he made his Broadway debut, playing a suave radio journalist.在那同一年里，他初次在百老汇登台，扮演一个温文而雅的电台记者。
• The actress made her debut in the new comedy.这位演员在那出新喜剧中首次登台演出。

11 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。