Tributes to the late actor Gene Wilder, who died this week, have been pouring in. The star of classic films such as The Producers and Blazing Saddles is perhaps best known for his iconic portrayal of Willy Wonka in 1971’s Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, based on Road Dahl’s book.
As The Telegraph reports, York Maze (no pun intended) in the UK this week shared a touching tribute to Wilder: an aerial shot of its maze, which earlier in the summer was shaped to depict various Dahl characters to celebrate what would have been the late, great author’s centenary. You can clearly see Wilder’s likeness staring back at you alongside the BFG and Fantastic Mr Fox.
In the Facebook post (below), York Maze said: “We are so sad to hear of the passing of Gene Wilder, the original and only Willy Wonka. You will live forevermore in our hearts, and for another 7 days in our corn!!”
A fitting tribute to a wonderful actor, we're sure you'll agree.
Watch an iconic scene from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory here.
Immersive dinner imagines horrid world of Roald Dahl's The Twits
