You say the character [of Leo Bloom] was meek and insecure, and you could've been describing me as well. I was a very shy person in those days, and working with Zero [Mostel], who was bigger than life, helped me grow. Zero was a strong influence on me.
Gene WilderIf the physical thing you're doing is funny, you don't have to act funny while doing it...Just be real and it will be funnier
Gene WilderBut the acting process - create a human being - was real, not only to the audience, but real to me.
Gene WilderI met Mel [Brooks] backstage in Anne's [Bancroft] dressing room. He was wearing one of those pea coats, pea jackets that were made famous by the Merchant Marines, and I admired it and he said, "You know, they used to call this a urine jacket, but it didn't sell."
Gene Wilder