Gilda Radner’s Widower Gene Wilder Speaks Up About Organization’s Name Change
Commentary | News this week that Gilda Radner’s namesake organization, Gilda’s Club, was seeing some branch name changes to remove the late comedienne’s moniker from their title was very controversial and considered by many to be an insult to the revered SNL star’s legacy, and now her widower Gene Wilder has commented on the baffling decision by some of the centers.
Gilda Radner died in 1989 at the age of 42 of ovarian cancer during a time when the condition had far less awareness and fewer treatment options. But Radner was a trailblazing entertainer, and her tragic and far too young death was only a small part of the star’s story.
Radner’s influence on young female fans of the genre, one might imagine, still remains. Myself a New Yorker and early-on comedy fan, I remember being moved and saddened by her death and recalling many of her bits well, even then — and I’m only 33. The idea that anyone who is a woman and loves comedy would be unaware of the early SNL star (one who invaded the boys’ club a quarter century before Tina Fey and Amy Poehler) is quite stunning and depressing, but, still, the notion is strong enough to have prompted the sad change.
Wilder has largely retired in recent years, though, since his wife’s 1989 death, he has championed the cause of ovarian cancer awareness and advocated for Gilda’s Club. And asked about his feelings on the erasing of Radner’s name from centers, Wilder opines in a way that makes the news seem ever sadder.
When asked about the decision, Wilder said he imagined telling Gilda of the decision by some Gilda’s Club affiliates, suspecting she would reply: ”Do they have to throw me out?”
Wilder adds:
“I’d say, ‘It’s not throwing you out, honey, it’s getting more money.’ And she’d say, ‘OK, I guess if they have to, they have to,’” he said. “It’s too bad. I wish it weren’t so. But I understand.”
Hopefully, the outcry against the erasure of Gilda Radner’s name from her former namesake organization will prompt reconsideration of the sad choice. Many have taken to the group’s Facebook page to protest it.
One fan fumed:
“The only educating you’re doing is teaching kids that when they die from cancer, their name will be erased from history in 20 years because the next generation doesn’t know who they are. Way to give them hope!”
But if you’re one of the young women who might not recognize Gilda Radner’s name, below is a clip of Steve Martin, breaking down on SNL as he pays tribute to his frequent stage-mate.
Do you think the decision was an insult to the legacy Gilda Radner left female funnywomen everywhere?
Steve Martin Gilda Radner Tribute from buford on Vimeo.
Tags : Cancer Support Community Southwest Wisconsin, gene wilder, gilda radner, gilda radner gene wilder, GIlda's Club, Gilda's Club Madison, Gilda's Club Madison name change, Gilda's Club name change, steve martin
Posted: November 30, 2012
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Nov 30, 2012
I only give to Gilda's Club because of Gilda; she knew she was dying but left her money and name to help others if she could not be here to do it herself. She meant for her name to inspire others of good fortune in the entertainment venue, to recognize the need to help this worthy cause; she didnot expect it to be named after her, after her death; she was just doing what she could in her last moments on earth. Furthermore, the naming of the organization after her was a blessing for her good deeds and a wonderful fitting tribute to someone who enjoyed life only to be powerlless to lose it to such a dreadful disease. To take her only legacy away is horrific and will cause the demise of what was an honorable foundation. By stealing /taking away/ changing her honor(name of club); you dispictable people dishonor yourselves and the foundation you represent. Shame on you persons who now MANIPULATE "Gilda's Club." And quit calling yourselves an "organization"; for this is the most unthought out, disodered, GROOSSLY UNORGANIZED, lame idea or proposal any hair-brained fool could have done. Kiss anymore contibution from me goodbye; I URGE ALL OTHERS READING THIS TO DO THE SAME!
Nov 30, 2012
I agree 100%. I would love to see them change the name if Sophia Loren was the namesake. Cretins.
Nov 30, 2012
Ungrateful, disgusting and in the most outrageous poor taste. I loved Gilda and these folks are fools.
Nov 30, 2012
Agreed. They had no problem using her name while it was popular, which undoubtedly helped in raising funds, but now that she's not in their faces every Saturday Night, they want to dump her. Classless.
Nov 30, 2012
More and more people want pop culture and what is in to promote something or to get more attention and they are clueless and disrespectful of the past. I guess we should close all Abraham Lincoln Schools, or anything with George Washington or Thomas Jefferson.
History matters and the more we remember great people from the past that have molded our society, the less we will bow down and allow it to be diluted into something less than it should be.
Nov 30, 2012
Okay, here's the thing… this idea that the name has to be updated because too many young girls might not know who Gilda was is just insane. Here's what you do – you TELL young girls about that amazing woman and educate them about her life and tragedy as you also educate them about ovarian cancer. This pisses me off. It's like, "Oh, dear… no one knows who she is anymore, so we don't have that name recognition, so we're just gonna' dump her name and legacy and come up with something more current and now." What a weak, give-up, soulless decision to make. Fine, then. I'll still donate to the fight against ovarian cancer, but it won't be through those clubs if they change the name. If they want a different name, then form a different organization and put someone else's name and face to it. Jacka**es.
Nov 30, 2012
Gilda's Club change should not even be an issue! If young people don't know who she is, tell them! WTH? Shame on you!
Nov 30, 2012
Danny Thomas' name is still associated with St. Jude. It's soon strange –
There are other places that still have a name associated with it, which may not be recognized by some. That is what the internet is for – If you have any questions, just look it up.
Nov 30, 2012
I don't know who Susan B. Koman is, but she gets huge recognition in the field of breast cancer. How is this different? You can't know every name of every individual, but like someone said below, then teach the people who don't know about Gilda what a blessing she was to the world for the 42 short years she was with us.
Nov 30, 2012
A classy, funny lady. Gilda might say "It's always something".
Dec 2, 2012
Shame on people battling cancer and those who spend all day every day trying to get them as much help as possible? You really think that attitude honors Gilda in any way?