Most of us knew him best as the owner of a magical candy empire and the cast of  contest winning misfits that were bounced out of his chocolate factory.

Gene Wilder may have been best known for his role as Willy Wonka, but when you stop and look at all the other movies and the characters he portrayed you realize this was a truly gifted man.

Gene actually got his start in movies as a victim in the 1967 movie Bonnie and Clyde.

His first big role was in the 1968 Mel Brooks classic 'The Producers' in which he was nominated for an academy award for the character Leopold Bloom.

Gene went on to start in other Mel Brooks films including Blazing Saddles as the Waco Kid, and Young Frankenstein which he co wrote with Brooks.

He also co starred with Richard Pryor in four movies , Silver Streak, Stir Crazy, See No Evil Hear No Evil, and Another You.

I would have to say my favorite Wilder role was Willy Wonka, but the Waco Kid is a close second.

Gene Wilder passed away on Sunday after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease, he was 83.

My Throwback Thursday Memory for this week is the Genius of Gene Wilder.

Check out some clips of his movies, interviews and his last TV appearance in 2003

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