As a child, I grew up watching all kinds of old movies. From Marry Poppins, to The Wizard of Oz, to 101 Dalmatians, I was a sucker for the movies that just took your mind on a magical adventure. However, one my all time favorite old movies is Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. As a 20-year-old college student, I still like to watch it. With scenes like the chocolate room and the invention room, you are left in awe at the magnificence of it all. And how could you possibly forget Wonka's famous song, Pure Imagination? If these were a part of your childhood, then you had a great childhood.

The man behind Wonka, Gene Wilder, was a phenomenal actor. Wilder was also a well known film director and author. Before he became an actor, Wilder was drafted into the army at the age of 23 to serve as a paramedic. He chose this position so he could stay close to New York City, where he took his acting classes. During his acting career, he was best known for his role as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971). He was also known for co-writing and acting in Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein (1974). In the later 2000's, Wilder gave up acting and became an author. He went on and produced a few novels such as My French Whore (2007) and Something to Remember You By (2013).

As all good things must come to an end, Gene Wilder passed away on August 29, 2016. The 83-year-old died from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He is survived by his wife, Karen Boyer, and his adopted daughter, Katharine Wilder. We can all remember him not only as a great actor and writer, but as the energetic, bewildering chocolatier, Willy Wonka.

In memory of Gene Wilder, June 11, 1933 - August 29, 2016.