Gene Wilder listening to one of his favorite songs, a rendition of "Over the Rainbow" sung by Ella Fitzgerald. Gene Wilder Jerome Silberman (June 11, 1933 – August 29, 2016), known professionally as Gene Wilder, was an American actor, screenwriter, director, producer, singer-songwriter and author. Wilder began his career on stage, and made his screen debut in an episode of the TV series "The Play of the Week" in 1961. Although his first film role was portraying a hostage in the 1967 motion picture "Bonnie and Clyde", Wilder's first major role was as Leopold Bloom in the 1967 film "The Producers" for
Robert S. Silberman award include Warren Buffett, Jamie Dimon, Charles Schwab and Herb Kelleher. Silberman currently serves as a director of Strayer Education, Inc., of Covanta Holding Company, and of 21st Century Fox. He also serves on the Board of Visitors of The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations as well. Robert S. Silberman Robert S. Silberman was United States Assistant Secretary of the Army (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) from 1992 to 1993; Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of International Paper from 1993 to 1995; and CEO of Strayer Education,