Mel Brooks, who collaborated with Gene Wilder on such films as The Producers, Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles, remembered the late comedic actor during his August 30th appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.
Wilder died August 28 at the age of 83. Read his full obituary here.
“It’s still tremendous. It’s still a big shock,” Brooks told Fallon. “I’m still reeling from that. No more Gene. I can’t call him.”
Brooks also recalled telling Wilder that he wanted him to star as Leo Bloom in the film of The Producers, as well as how they found the inspiration for writing and casting Young Frankenstein together.
In the clip below, Brooks remembers the creation of Young Frankenstein and his close friendship with Wilder.
Brooks also recalls growing up in a tenement building in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
