AUDIO: Gene Wilder's Nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, Shares Touching Remembrances

As reported by BroadwayWorld, Gene Wilder, who originated the role of Billy Bibbit in the original 1963 Broadway production of ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST and went on to star in film classics like THE PRODUCERS, BLAZING SADDLES, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN and WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, died today from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was 83.

This evening his nephew, JorDan Walker-Pearlman, spoke with National Public Radio's Robert Siegel to share family remembrances of the beloved actor.

Especially touching is Walker-Pearlman's explanation as to why Wilder wanted his Alzheimer's diagnosis to be kept secret, having to do with his observation of how children's faces would still light up when seeing him in public.

Photo Credit: Caroline Bonarde Ucci