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Wilder

Season 40 Episode 8

Follow the journey of actor Gene Wilder, known for his performances in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and Young Frankenstein, from his collaborative relationship with Mel Brooks to his rise as a Hollywood leading man and comedic visionary. Featuring never-before-seen interviews with Wilder, archival clips, and an intimate look into Wilder’s legacy from his nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman.

Aired: 09/21/26
Support for American Masters is provided by AARP, The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation, Thea Petschek Iervolino Foundation, Burton P. and Judith B. Resnick Foundation, The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation, Jeffrey Katz and Beth Rogers, Kate W. Cassidy Foundation, The Marc Haas Foundation, Lillian Goldman Programming Endowment, Seton J. Melvin, Candace King Weir, Koo and Patricia Yuen, Laura Richards and Jim Naughton, Filomen M. Dagostino Foundation, André and Elizabeth Kertész Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Ellen and James S. Marcus, Blanche and Hayward Cirker Charitable Lead Annuity Trust, The Charina Endowment Fund, and public television viewers.
Extras
Celebrate the legacy of Gene Wilder, the actor behind Willy Wonka and Young Frankenstein.
Discover filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez, a founding figure of the Chicano Movement.
Comedian Matteo Lane on stand-up, painting, singing, performing on Broadway and much more.
Celebrate the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver.
"Wild Geese" is one of Mary Oliver's most popular poems.
Mary Oliver met her life partner, photographer Molly Malone Cook, at Steepletop.
Listen to Steve Buscemi read Mary Oliver's poem "The Fish" in this excerpt from the film.
Mary Oliver sought to call attention to the destruction of the earth in her work.
Mary Oliver often hinted at the turmoil within her family, but sought to move past it.
Listen to Steve Buscemi read Mary Oliver's poem "The First Time Percy Came Back."