Mary Joan Schutz gained public recognition as the second wife of legendary actor Gene Wilder, though she maintained a private life both before and after their marriage.
Born in Pennsylvania in 1938, she first met Wilder through his sister and married him on October 27, 1967.
Their relationship began when Wilder formed a close bond with Schutz’s daughter Katharine from her previous marriage, eventually adopting her after the child began calling him “Dad”.
The marriage lasted seven years, ending in 1974 amid suspicions that Wilder was having an affair with his Young Frankenstein co-star Madeline Kahn.
Following their divorce, Schutz retreated from the public eye, while her daughter Katharine became estranged from Wilder.
Despite the personal connection to one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedic actors, Schutz has consistently maintained her privacy, making her a somewhat mysterious figure in Wilder’s well-documented life story.
Wilder went on to marry twice more – to actress Gilda Radner and later to Karen Boyer, with whom he remained until his death in 2016 from Alzheimer’s disease.
Early Life and Background
Mary Joan Schutz was born in 1938 in Pennsylvania to Nancy Schutz and Robert L. Schutz, growing up in a traditional American household.
As a member of the white community and practicing Christian, she maintained a quiet life away from the public eye before her connection to Hollywood.
Her early years were spent in Pennsylvania, where she was raised according to American values and traditions, though details about her education and early career remain private.
The 1940 census records confirm her birth year, making her 86 years old as of 2024. Before stepping into the spotlight through her marriage to Gene Wilder, she had already been married once and had a daughter named Katharine.
Her life took a significant turn when she met Wilder through his sister, leading to their marriage in 1967.
While her former husband went on to become a legendary figure in American cinema, Schutz consistently chose to maintain her privacy, making her one of the more enigmatic figures connected to Wilder’s legacy.
This commitment to a private lifestyle has remained constant even after their divorce in 1974.
| Category | Details |
| Birth Name | Jerome Silberman |
| Stage Name | Gene Wilder |
| Birth Date | June 11, 1933 |
| Birth Place | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA |
| Death Date | August 29, 2016 |
| Death Place | Stamford, Connecticut, USA |
| Cause of Death | Complications from Alzheimer’s disease |
| Height | 5′ 10½″ (1.79 m) |
| Education | – University of Iowa (Communication and Theatre Arts) |
| – Bristol Old Vic Theatre School | |
| Profession | Actor, Comedian, Director, Writer, Filmmaker |
| Years Active | 1955–2013 |
| Notable Awards | – Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor (Will & Grace) |
| – Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor (The Producers) | |
| – Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay (Young Frankenstein) | |
| Notable Films | – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) |
| – The Producers (1967) | |
| – Blazing Saddles (1974) | |
| – Young Frankenstein (1974) | |
| Last Performance | Will & Grace (2003) |
| Published Works | Kiss Me Like a Stranger (memoir, 2005) and five other books |
Marriage to Gene Wilder
Mary Joan Schutz entered Gene Wilder’s life through an introduction by his sister in late 1965. Their relationship developed quickly, especially when Wilder formed a strong bond with Schutz’s young daughter Katharine from her previous marriage.
When Katharine began calling him “Dad,” Wilder decided to “do the right thing” and proposed marriage. The couple wed on October 27, 1967, and Wilder officially adopted Katharine that same year.
Their marriage lasted seven years, coming to an end in 1974 amid growing tensions and suspicions. The breaking point came during the filming of Young Frankenstein, when Schutz believed Wilder was having an affair with his co-star Madeline Kahn.
Though these allegations were never confirmed, after their separation, Wilder briefly dated another Young Frankenstein co-star, Teri Garr. The divorce was finalized on November 24, 1980.
The split had lasting consequences beyond the end of their marriage. Katharine, who had been close to her adoptive father, became estranged from Wilder in her early twenties.
Wilder later attempted to reconnect with his adopted daughter by dedicating his 2005 book “Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art” to her.
Relationship with Katharine Wilder
Gene Wilder relationship with his adopted daughter Katharine began warmly when she started calling him “Dad” during his courtship with her mother Mary Joan Schutz.
This prompted Wilder to marry Schutz and legally adopt Katharine in 1967. However, their father-daughter bond took a devastating turn in 1974 when Katharine was in her early twenties, following her parents’ divorce.
The split was particularly painful as Katharine believed Wilder had been unfaithful with his Young Frankenstein co-star Madeline Kahn.
The estrangement that followed was profound and lasting. In a 2002 interview with Larry King, Wilder spoke poignantly about having “lost” his daughter, describing it as “too sad a story to go into”.
In 2005, he made a final attempt at reconciliation by writing his memoir “Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art,” dedicating it to Katharine.
In the book, he expressed hope that she would read it to understand the circumstances of his marriage’s dissolution, though he doubted she would. Sadly, the father and daughter never reconciled before Wilder’s death from Alzheimer’s disease in 2016.
Life After Divorce
Following her divorce from Gene Wilder in 1974, Mary Joan Schutz deliberately stepped away from the public eye and maintained an extremely private life.
Unlike many former spouses of celebrities who leverage their connections for publicity, Schutz chose complete privacy, making her one of the more enigmatic figures in Wilder’s story.
The separation had lasting consequences, particularly regarding family relationships. Her daughter Katharine became estranged from her adoptive father Wilder, believing he had been unfaithful with his Young Frankenstein co-star Madeline Kahn.
This family fracture seemingly influenced Schutz’s decision to maintain her distance from Hollywood and the entertainment industry.
While Wilder went on to marry twice more – first to comedian Gilda Radner in 1984 and later to Karen Boyer in 1991 – Schutz remained private about her personal life. No public records indicate whether she remarried or pursued any particular career path.
Her retreat from public life was so complete that even during major events related to Wilder, including his death in 2016, she made no public statements or appearances.
This dedication to privacy has made her post-divorce life one of the lesser-documented chapters in the story of Gene Wilder’s relationships.
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Legacy and Connection to Gene Wilder
Mary Joan Schutz legacy is inextricably linked to her marriage with Gene Wilder, the legendary actor who captivated audiences as Willy Wonka and in numerous Mel Brooks films.
Their relationship began through Wilder’s sister in the late 1960s, leading to their marriage in 1967, during a pivotal time in Wilder’s career when he was gaining recognition for his role in The Producers.
The marriage coincided with Wilder’s rising stardom, particularly as he filmed classics like Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in 1971.
Their union became notable not just for their romantic connection, but for Wilder’s decision to adopt Schutz’s daughter Katharine, creating what initially seemed to be a close-knit family.
However, their relationship ended in 1974, the same year Wilder starred in Young Frankenstein, amid suspicions of his involvement with co-star Madeline Kahn.
While Wilder went on to marry twice more – most famously to comedian Gilda Radner and finally to Karen Boyer – Schutz chose to maintain complete privacy after their divorce.
Despite the brevity of their marriage, it remains a significant chapter in Hollywood history, marking a period when Wilder transformed from a rising star into one of America’s most beloved comic actors.
Conclusion
Mary Joan Schutz story represents a significant chapter in Hollywood history through her seven-year marriage to legendary actor Gene Wilder. Their relationship began through a family connection when Wilder’s sister introduced them in the late 1960s.
The marriage, which lasted from 1967 to 1974, was marked by Wilder’s adoption of Schutz’s daughter Katharine, creating what initially seemed to be a perfect family unit.
The marriage coincided with Wilder’s rise to stardom, including his iconic role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
However, their relationship ended amid suspicions of Wilder’s alleged affair with actress Madeline Kahn, leading to not only their divorce but also the painful estrangement between Wilder and his adopted daughter Katharine.
Unlike many former spouses of celebrities, Schutz chose a path of complete privacy after their divorce, maintaining this stance even after Wilder’s death in 2016.
Now 86 years old, she remains one of the more enigmatic figures connected to Wilder’s legacy, having never publicly discussed their relationship or the circumstances of their separation.
