Gene Wilder: A Man Who Gave Immortal Life to a World of Imagination Listen Download Embed Share Share this on Facebook (Opens in a new window) Share this on Twitter (Opens in a new window) Share this via Email American actor Gene Wilder as Willy Wonka in 'Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory', directed by Mel Stuart, 1971. ( Silver Screen Collection / Getty ) Produced by PRI and WNYC