Book description
Gene Wilder defined film comedy in the 1970s and '80s. But this is no
traditional autobiography, rather it's an intelligent, quirky, humorous
account of key events that have affected him in search for love and art.
In this very personal, fascinating book, Wilder gives a great insight
into the creative process on stage and screen. He discusses his
experiences of working with the very best of movie talent, including Mel
Brooks, Woody Allen, Sidney Poitier and Richard Pryor, and tells how he
developed his own unique style from his early days at The Actors' Studio
with Lee Strasberg.
Amongst other incidents, he describes his time in the UK, which he has
great fondness for, studying at the Old Vic Theatre School in Bristol.
During this period he came top of his class at fencing and doorstepped
Sir John Geilgud to ask him to explain the use of iambic pentametre.
Wilder also talks amusingly about his failed love life off-screen
(including 4 marriages) and is candid about much darker times such as
the death of his third wife, comedienne Gilda Radner, from cancer. He
also reveals his own recent battle with the disease, which he's now come
through, and which changed his perspective on life.
This isn't a traditional celebrity 'tell all' but an insight into the
life and mind of a great comic actor who has a rare ability to write as
well as he performs. 'Funny, unusual and completely convincing.'
The Mail on Sunday
'Wilder's prose is as probingly honest as his best performances.'
Sunday Times
'Like it's author, it has great charm and intelligence.'
Daily Mail - Critic's Choice
'Pure Gene Wilder! Uproarishly funny and at times very moving. It made
me want to go out and see every Gene Wilder movie again.'
Mel Brooks American stage and screen actor, director, screenwriter,
author and activist Gene Wilder started his acting career at the age of 13.
His long and distinguished career, which includes a nomination for an
Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for his role in cult classic The
Producers as well as lead roles in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and
Young Frankenstein, has made him one of the most influential figures in
film. Now unofficially retired from showbusiness, he lives in America.
