He was one of my favorite actors growing up. He played so many great characters. But, Gene Wilder will probably always be know as Willy Wonka. I remember as a child counting the days until the movie was one TV. I would sit and watch in amazement at all the wonderful gidgets and gadgets inside his chocolate factory. I think Willy Wonka encouraged us to never lose the magic of our imagination we had as children. Gene Wilder has passed at the age of 83. Thanks for all the years of imagination!