Wilder skyrocketed to fame after landing the leading role in the 1967 film “The Producers” as Leo Bloom. Shortly thereafter, he captured hearts in the cult classic “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” where he portrayed the iconic Willy Wonka, solidifying his status as the beloved Gene Wilder.

Among Wilder’s other notable films are “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein,” and “The Woman in Red.” His final acting appearance was in 1991’s “Another You,” a quarter-century before his passing.

In 2016, Wilder succumbed to complications of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 83, having been diagnosed three years prior. Despite keeping his diagnosis private, a new documentary delves into his illness and final days.

Titled “Remembering Gene Wilder,” the documentary has garnered critical acclaim, boasting a 90 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes’ tomatometer. It is currently screening in New York theaters and will debut in Los Angeles on Friday, March 22, before expanding its release across the US.

The film’s synopsis offers insight into Wilder’s life, career, and legacy through interviews and never-before-seen footage. One poignant interview features Wilder’s widow, Karen Boyer, his fourth wife, whom he married in 1991.

Boyer shares a tender moment from Wilder’s final days in the documentary, recounting, “The music was playing in the background – Ella Fitzgerald was singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ and I was lying next to him when he sat up in bed and said, ‘I trust you.’ And then he said, ‘I love you.’ That’s the last thing he said.”

Reflecting on her late husband, Boyer fondly describes Wilder as ‘the best husband.’ She adds, “Gene was wonderful; he was the best husband I think anybody could ask for. To love and be loved is the best gift anybody could ask for, and we had that.”

Boyer also reveals that Wilder ‘never really accepted that he had Alzheimer’s,’ shedding light on the hardships of the disease. Despite witnessing his decline, Boyer remained steadfast, admitting, “When I’d see him slip away further from me, I was sick to my stomach but I had to keep smiling and tell him that everything was okay.”

The documentary provides an intimate glimpse into Wilder’s life, capturing the essence of the legendary actor and comedian.