The great Gene Wilder hasn’t acted since 2003 when he was a guest star on the sitcom Will & Grace—a role that won him a Primetime Emmy. But from time to time the 80-year-old still makes appearances and sometimes does interviews, sharing stories of his life and work while continuing to inspiring many.

In 2007 Wilder spoke to Letty Cottin Pogrebin, and from that chat a short animated video was created that you can see below. In the video, Wilder talks about acting (and why he doesn’t do it anymore—though would, if the right role came along), his life and how his mother inspired him to get into acting and making people laugh, and his one change to the Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory script he requested in order for him to take the job.

It’s a wonderful video, and a reminder of why we love and miss Wilder on the screens big and small. Much like Mel Brooks, who Wilder of course worked with many times, you could listen to him tell stories all day long.

If you want to see a lengthier interview with Wilder, you can see an almost 30-minute chat with him from last year right here where he talks of these things and more, and for plenty other animated shorts of various celebrity interviews, be sure to check out the Blank On Blank YouTube channel.

Now…someone get Mr. Wilder a script and role worth playing! No, not you Michael Bay. Gee, I could sure go for a new Mel Brooks movie right about now (*ahem*).

Video

[Source: via mental_floss]