In a tribute to Gene Wilder, the movies' first Willy Wonka, LIFE presents a lavishly illustrated commemorative edition. This special issue highlights Wilder's indelible, career-defining roles and traces his life from his childhood in Milwaukee through his marriage to and loss of Saturday Night Live star Gilda Radner and beyond: - Behind the scenes at Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, and why Wonka remains such an enduring film for children - Inside Young Frankenstein, Blazing Saddles, and The Producers and Wilder's partnership with director Mel Brooks - How Wilder and Richard Pryor created comedic gold on screen - Gilda Radner, Wilder's beloved late wife, in her own words