Gene Wilder Reveals Comedic Roots in Rare Interview

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“I think that if someone were reading my palm at that point in my life, they would see a sharp curve.”

That’s how the late Gene Wilder referred to the moment that he first dedicated himself to comedy. In 1979, the reclusive and soft-spoken Wilder agreed to sit down with talk-show host Merv Griffin for a rare interview, one which Wilder only agreed to do if there were no audience present. Griffin clearly had no idea what to expect when sitting down with the actor; His first questions to Wilder were “Are you leading a very mysterious life that we shouldn’t ask about?” and “Do you live in a house?” What Griffin got in return were very measured, thoughtful answers from an intelligent, kind and genuine man.

That moment Wilder was referring to, that point in his life where the “sharp curve” happened, was after his mother suffered a heart attack when he was just six years old. His mother was frail and could go at any time, the doctors said, and they recommended that the family “keep her happy” without “letting her get too excited.” It was at this time, Wilder says, that he decided to dedicate himself to making his mother laugh. He would recite routines by his favorite stand-ups of the time for her, and his barometer for whether he was doing a good job was whether or not he could get his mother to pee her pants.

It wasn’t just his mother who influenced his foray into the arts, either. While Wilder credits his mother for pushing him into acting, it was his father’s essence that he channeled while on stage or on screen. While he never did it consciously, Wilder said that “What I’m like on screen, the kind of characters I play, what my talent is based on, is probably 90% my father.”

“He was the most naive man, a real victim in life. The most innocent person I’ve ever met,” Wilder continued. “I think that’s what audiences respond to. When they see me in a crazy situation where the forces of evil are bearing down on me and asking ‘How will I ever get out,’ I think it’s that naiveté of my father that I call on.”

This is just one of a few personal stories that Wilder tells in the incredibly candid interview. Wilder answers each question with honesty and thoughtfulness; It is essential viewing for any fan of Wilder as an actor or person, so be sure to check out the video below.

H/T bustle.com.

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Bill Tressler

Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.
Bill Tressler
Bill Tressler
Bill is a writer and comedy enthusiast from New York. An avid gamer and podcast fan, he strives to always toe the line between charming irreverence and grating honesty.