(DCWatchdog.com) – Even though his death was almost eight years ago and left a bittersweet feeling among his fans, Gene Wilder’s widow recently disclosed the actor’s final words before his passing in August 2016.
Karen Boyer recounted the renowned actor’s last moments in a new documentary titled “Remembering Gene Wilder.”
Boyer was Wilder’s fourth spouse shared insights into their relationship, which lasted from 1991 until his death at the age of 83.
“He hadn’t walked alone [in a long time] and it was just a few days before he died, and I looked up and he was walking across the kitchen and then he said, ‘I want to go swimming,’” Boyer said in the documentary. “He dove into the pool like he used to — I saw his little tush in the air — and I was awestruck.”
Continuing with her words, she added, “And he took two strokes, he stood up, shook his head the way he always did to get the water out of his ear and said, ‘That’s good. Went back to bed, and I think he just wanted to get in the pool one more time.”
Wilder was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s three years before his death but kept his condition private.
“The music was playing in the background — Ella Fitzgerald was singing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ and I was lying next to him, and he sat up in bed, and he said, ‘I trust you. And then he said, ‘I love you.’ That’s the last thing he said.” Boyer stated.
Wilder was acclaimed for his roles in prominent Hollywood features, especially as “Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971). He collaborated frequently with Mel Brooks and contributed to comedies like “The Producers” (1967), “Blazing Saddles” (1974), and “Young Frankenstein” (1974). Additionally, he ventured into writing and directing his own films.
The actor had previous marriages: first to Mary Mercier from 1960 to 1965, followed by Mary Joan Schutz in 1967, which ended in divorce in 1982. His third marriage was to “Saturday Night Life” actress Gilda Radner from 1984 until her death from cancer in 1989.
While talking during the documentary, Boyer expressed admiration for her relationship with the actor.
“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,” she said.
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