Mr. Gene Wilder has left the building folks.

The actor known for this roles in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, and The Little Prince to name a few, passed away yesterday due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease. He was 83.

Wilder had been diagnosed three years prior and wanted to keep his condition private. His nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, stated the reason “more so that the countless young children that would smile or call out to him “there’s Willy Wonka,” would not have to be exposed to an adult referencing illness or trouble and cause delight to travel to worry, disappointment or confusion. He simply couldn’t bear the idea of one less smile in the world.“.