I wrote about Gene Wilder for Autograph back when you could find it on newsstands. I thought I’d share that story, and a little more, about my one experience with the comedic genius.

Having been born in 1969, my favorite Wilder comedies as a kid were the ones I watched in the theatre. They had arguably, the best stand--up comedian of all-time -- Richard Pryor. Watching those two in Stir Crazy, Silver Streak, and See No Evil -- ah, good times. I was 13-years-old, and in a theatre of people laughing.

I was a bit too young to enjoy his earlier work, until one day I came home and my stepdad was drunk on the couch (which was a fairly common occurrence), watching Young Frankenstein. I was about 17. I had never seen him laugh so hard. When Wilder sings “Putting on the Ritz” with Frankenstein (played by the late, great Peter Boyle), it was hysterical. Both my stepdad laughing, and Wilder dancing.

My older brother was watching Blazing Saddles a few weeks later. Being teenagers, our favorite scene was probably the camp fire. It would be a few years later, that I’d watch these great comedies and realize all the subtle comedic brilliance that Mel Brooks could throw in. It’s why they rank among the best comedies ever made.

And let’s not forget about The Producers. That ain’t chopped liver.

As children, we all adored Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factor. But hey...this isn’t about me writing to tell you about his career; or to speculate as to why he hadn’t done a movie in 15 years (in interviews, he claimed he didn’t like the cursing, violence, and style of comedy that was popular now). I don’t want to speculate on if he’s reuniting with his comedic genius, late wife -- Gilda Radner, of Saturday Night Live fame. I want to talk about his autograph habits, of which I know very little; but I did have one awful experience with him.

He came into my hometown to do a book signing about 8 years ago. Of course I went. The line was long, and I saw one guy in it that I did a radio show with. He introduced me to a friend of his that wanted to meet Gene Wilder because, as she told me, “My whole life, people have told me I looked like him.”

That sounds funny, coming from a woman. It’s even funnier when you see her (I’ll try to find the picture).

When she told Wilder this, he just looked at her, looked down at his book, and signed it.

Another local stand-up comedian, who is popular in our hometown, thanked him for all the great movies. Again, he just looked at him, said something like “Thanks,” and signed the book.

I was standing in line with a new girlfriend, and she asked me if I knew a woman standing 15 people behind us, who wouldn’t stop staring at us. I turned around and noticed...it was an ex girlfriend, who I had an ugly breakup with. Yikes. I hope there wasn’t going to be a scene in front of Gene.

Another guy was holding 10 DVDs, and the bookstore employee, before he ever got to the table, asked him to put them in his car or he wouldn’t be allowed to go to the table to meet Wilder.

They had signs everywhere saying that no memorabilia would be signed, just the book, and only if it was purchased there. I’ve seen that before, and of course, I hate it. It would be simple enough to say “For each book you buy, you can have one additional item signed.” That way, they sell product, and make the fans happy.

But, when I went to a Bob Newhart booksigning, he refused to sign my album. When Phil Leash of the Grateful Dead did one, he refused to sign my Dead album (but he signed a yearbook for one person, and a record for another person). The worst part is -- I’m not even that big of a fan of the Grateful Dead! But I digest (just ate breakfast).

I had something else I was going to have Wilder autograph. A friend of mine worked at a movie theatre when Blazing Saddles came out, and the film studio sent these promotional items to the theatre. They were wooden nickels (about the size of silver dollars), that looked like a coin. It had the name of the movie, said “In Mel We Trust” and something else that was funny. I had a handful of these. So as I approach and he signed my book, I told him about how I’ve had these items since the ‘70s. I showed him. He didn’t seem the least bit interested. His wife, who was about half his age, started freaking out. She said, “Oh wow, I’ve been looking for those! That’s amazing.”

I said, “Do you want these?” She said, “Yes, yes, thank you so much.”

I added, “The only stipulation is...Mr. Wilder has to sign one of them for me.” She enthusiastically said, “Oh, he will.”

He looked at her like he wanted to kill her. He then started looking around. I think he was looking for that same book store employee to throw me out. After 30 seconds of him moving his head around, he sighed, signed my wooden nickel, and slammed it onto the table.

It wasn’t the best experience in the world, but at least I got his autograph.

And of course, I was sad to hear of his passing at 83-years of age. He has given us so many great comedies.