10 Things You Didn't Know About Gene Wilder

3. He Enjoyed The Sport Of Fencing

Gene Wilder Willy Wonka
20th Century Fox

Back in his early twenties, while studying at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Wilder spent a substantial amount of time studying fencing, the sport in which two competitors fight using harmless, rapier-style swords.

In fact, Wilder was so good at the sport that he actually became the first ever freshman to the win the school's fencing championship, a feat which shocked staff and pupils alike.

Though he was encouraged to continue pursuing the sport, Wilder eventually returned to the U.S. to further his study of acting, but remained fond of the sport throughout his life.

In this post: 
Gene-Wilder
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Commonly found reading, sitting firmly in a seat at the cinema (bottle of water and a Freddo bar, please) or listening to the Mountain Goats.