(CNN) Gene Wilder, who brought a wild-eyed desperation to a series of memorable and iconic comedy roles in the 1970s and 1980s, has died, his lawyer, Eric Weissmann, said.

He was 83.

Wilder is best known for his collaborations with director Mel Brooks, starring as the stressed-out Leo Bloom in Brooks' breakout 1967 film "The Producers," and later in the monster movie spoof "Young Frankenstein." He also portrayed a boozing gunslinger in "Blazing Saddles."

For many people, Wilder might be best remembered for "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," playing the mysterious candy tycoon in the 1971 adaptation of Roald Dahl's book.

Wilder attends the annual Art Directors Guild Awards in 2010. Wilder died due to complications from Alzheimer's disease, which he struggled with for three years, his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman said in a statement to CNN.

Wilder attends the annual Art Directors Guild Awards in 2010. Wilder died due to complications from Alzheimer's disease, which he struggled with for three years, his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman said in a statement to CNN.

Wilder and his wife, Karen, attend a U.S. Open tennis match in 2007.

Wilder and his wife, Karen, attend a U.S. Open tennis match in 2007.

James Lipton sits with Wilder during a taping of the show "Inside the Actor's Studio" in 1996.

James Lipton sits with Wilder during a taping of the show "Inside the Actor's Studio" in 1996.

Wilder and Pryor in 1991's "Another You." It was the last leading role for both of them.

Wilder and Pryor in 1991's "Another You." It was the last leading role for both of them.

Wilder and Pryor were back at it again with "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" in 1989. Wilder played a deaf man who is best friends with Pryor's blind character.

Wilder and Pryor were back at it again with "See No Evil, Hear No Evil" in 1989. Wilder played a deaf man who is best friends with Pryor's blind character.

Wilder sits atop a mounted moose head in a scene from "Haunted Hollywood," a film he directed in 1986.

Wilder sits atop a mounted moose head in a scene from "Haunted Hollywood," a film he directed in 1986.

Wilder poses with actress Kelly LeBrock for a photo promoting the 1984 film "The Woman in Red." Wilder also directed.

Wilder poses with actress Kelly LeBrock for a photo promoting the 1984 film "The Woman in Red." Wilder also directed.

Gilda Radnor stars with Wilder in 1982's "Hanky Panky." The two married in 1984 and remained together until her death in 1989.

Gilda Radnor stars with Wilder in 1982's "Hanky Panky." The two married in 1984 and remained together until her death in 1989.

Wilder stars with comedian Richard Pryor in 1980's "Stir Crazy." The two did several movies together.

Wilder stars with comedian Richard Pryor in 1980's "Stir Crazy." The two did several movies together.

Another Brooks-directed film, "Young Frankenstein," became one of Wilder's most famous. Wilder played Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the legendary Dr. Victor Frankenstein, in a parody of classic horror movies.

Another Brooks-directed film, "Young Frankenstein," became one of Wilder's most famous. Wilder played Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of the legendary Dr. Victor Frankenstein, in a parody of classic horror movies.

Wilder plays The Fox in 1974's "The Little Prince."

Wilder plays The Fox in 1974's "The Little Prince."

Wilder, seen here with Cleavon Little, was back with Brooks for 1974's "Blazing Saddles." In a statement to CNN on Monday, Brooks called Wilder "one of the truly great talents of our time. ... He blessed every film we did together with his special magic. And he blessed my life with his friendship."

Wilder, seen here with Cleavon Little, was back with Brooks for 1974's "Blazing Saddles." In a statement to CNN on Monday, Brooks called Wilder "one of the truly great talents of our time. ... He blessed every film we did together with his special magic. And he blessed my life with his friendship."

Wilder appears in a sketch called "The Office Sharers" during an NBC hourlong special called "The Trouble With People" in 1972.

Wilder appears in a sketch called "The Office Sharers" during an NBC hourlong special called "The Trouble With People" in 1972.

Wilder sits next to a sheep in Woody Allen's 1972 film "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)."

Wilder sits next to a sheep in Woody Allen's 1972 film "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid to Ask)."

The 1970 parody "Start the Revolution Without Me" starred Wilder and Donald Sutherland as two sets of identical twins.

The 1970 parody "Start the Revolution Without Me" starred Wilder and Donald Sutherland as two sets of identical twins.

Wilder -- at right with Zero Mostel and Lee Meredith -- was the stressed-out Leo Bloom in Mel Brooks' breakout film, "The Producers" in 1968. He was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor.

Wilder -- at right with Zero Mostel and Lee Meredith -- was the stressed-out Leo Bloom in Mel Brooks' breakout film, "The Producers" in 1968. He was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actor.

Comedic actor Gene Wilder, seen here as candy tycoon Willy Wonka in the 1971 classic "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," died Monday, August 29, at the age of 83.

Comedic actor Gene Wilder, seen here as candy tycoon Willy Wonka in the 1971 classic "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," died Monday, August 29, at the age of 83.

In a statement to CNN on Monday, Brooks called Wilder "one of the truly great talents of our time."

"He blessed every film we did with his magic and he blessed me with his friendship," Brooks wrote.

Wilder died due to complications from Alzheimer's disease, which he struggled with for three years, his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman said in a statement to CNN.

Wilder chose not to disclose his illness, the statement added.

"He simply couldn't bear the idea of one less smile in the world," Walker-Pearlman said.

In the years after "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," Wilder continued to star in numerous comedies, with less consistent success. That included several films with Richard Pryor, including "Stir Crazy" and "Silver Streak," as well as solo vehicles like "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother" and "The World's Greatest Lover," which he also directed.

In a 2005 interview with CNN, Wilder discussed how he met Brooks, having been cast in a play opposite the director's then-girlfriend, Anne Bancroft.

"That led to 'The Producers' and 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Young Frankenstein,' because I was miscast in a play," Wilder said. "And it changed my life."

He said he was happy to be cast in primarily comedic roles throughout his acting career.

"For every dramatic role, there are 14 other guys who will do it better than me, always," Wilder told CNN.

He was married to "Saturday Night Live" regular Gilda Radner for five years until her death in 1989.

When asked in the same CNN interview whether he thought the public expected him to mourn Radner indefinitely, Wilder said he felt some people did.

Then added, "If you found happiness, real happiness, then it would be stupid to waste your life mourning. And if you asked Gilda, she'd say, don't be a jerk. You know, go out, have fun. Wake up and smell the coffee."

He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Karen Wilder.

A man who lit up the world with his joy and genius. I can't say what it meant to act with him and get to know his heart. ❤️RIP #GeneWilder — Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) August 29, 2016

Gene Wilder. Bless you for all these years of laughter and love, such warmth and humanity. Thank you, thank you, thank you #GeneWilder — Leonard Maltin (@leonardmaltin) August 29, 2016

Wilder's friends, co-workers and admirers were quick to pay tribute to the actor after the news of his death.

"Bless you for all these years of laughter and love, such warmth and humanity," wrote film critic Leonard Maltin.

Debra Messing, former star of "Will & Grace," a show on which Wilder guest-starred, said, "A man who lit up the world with his joy and genius. I can't say what it meant to act with him and get to know his heart."