Mary Joan Schutz is the ex-wife of Gene Wilder. Gene is a famous actor, comedian, filmmaker, and writer. He is well-known because he played Willy Wonka in the movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in 1971. His awards and honors include the Primetime Emmy, Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Nebula.
Mary Joan Schutz was born in Pennsylvania, in the United States of America. She was famous after her marriage with Gene Wilder. She has also managed to keep a low profile after the separation of their marriage in 1974. Her daughter, Katharine Wilder is an actress.
Profile summary
- Full name Mary Joan Schutz
- Gender Female
- Age 87 years old (as of 2025)
- Date of birth 1938
- Place of birth Pennsylvania, United States
- Nationality American
- Ethnicity White
- Religion Christianity
- Sexuality Straight
- Marital status Divorced
- Father Robert L Schutz
- Mother Nancy Schutz
- Children 1
- Ex-spouse Gene Wilder
What makes Mary Joan Schutz well-known?
She is referred to as the ex-wife of Gene Wilder. Gene Wilder had his first taste of acting in 1961 in the television series Play of the Week as a character called Happy. His acts began attracting attention in the entertainment world particularly when he played the role of Leo Bloom in The Producers. In 1971, he gained fame as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory and thus became known by many people.
He has appeared in the movies; The Scarecrow, Death of a Salesman and the lady in Question which are all the popular movies. He has 37 acting credits which can be seen on his IMDb profile. He is also the co-writer of other movies like Sunday Lovers and Haunted Honeymoon. Gene Wilder is also a writer of books, The Woman Who Wouldn?t and Even Dogs Learn How to Swim.
The relationship between Mary Joan Schutz and Gene Wilder
They knew each other through the sister of Gene Wilder and they got married on 27 October 1967. Mary Joan Schutz was a mother of a daughter out of her former marriage. She became the daughter of Gene Wilder when she referred to him as ‘Dad.’ They got married in the same year that he adopted her.
In 1974, they broke up when Mary Joan Schutz felt that Gene Wilder was cheating on her with Madeline, his co-star in Young Frankenstein.
Gene Wilder’s daughter
After marrying in 1967, the American comedian adopted the daughter of Mary Joan Schutz. She is the only child of Gene Wilder. Katharine Wilder is an American actress whose trending name is because she appeared in the television series called Call the Midwife as Audrey Fleming. She has 16 credits as an actress, according to her IMDb page. Other popular movies of hers include Darwin Story, The Faceless woman, and Two heads creek.
Katharine Wilder was alienated by her father due to divorce of her parents. She broke her relations with him. In his book, Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search of Love and Art, the comedian wrote to his daughter.
The book tells the account of his life and he wished that Katharine would one day read the book and reconcile with him. Nevertheless, sources indicate that the two never reconciled because, in 2016, the actor was dead.
What caused Gene Wilder’s death?
The American actor passed on due to Alzheimer. It was three years prior to his death that he has been diagnosed with the illness. His condition was not disclosed by his family until his death in 2016 He died in his home in Stamford, Connecticut in the United States of America.
Reportedly, his nephew Jordan Walker-Pearlman reported that his uncle passed away due to Alzheimer disease. Gene Wilder is no more at the age of 83.
FAQs
1: Who is Mary Joan Schutz?
Ans: She is famously referred to as the ex-wife of Gene Wilder. They got married in 1967, till 1989.
2: What is the name of the daughter of Gene wilder?
Ans: He was the father of the one daughter, Katharine Wilder, who was an actress.
3: Did Gene Wilder marry again after Mary Joan Schutz?
Ans: He married next to Gilder Radner, after they separated. After Gilder Radner died, he married Karen Boyer.
