Have you ever looked at two celebrities and said, “These two have to be related”? It happens more than you’d think in Hollywood.
One recent example that just won’t stop generating inquiries is whether Jeremy Allen White, the star of “Shameless” and “The Bear,” is related to the iconic Gene Wilder, famous for such classics as “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”
They are too similar, so it’s no surprise that the topic of whether Gene Wilder and Jeremy Allen White are related is always on everyone’s mind. So, let’s get to the point and resolve this.
Why Are People Asking if Jeremy Allen White and Gene Wilder Are Related?
We can see why the comparison is made. Jeremy Allen White is often compared to a younger Gene Wilder because of his curly blond hair, passionate eyes, and a hint of mischief.
Well-known for his memorable facial features and curls, Gene Wilder gave us some of the best comedic performances of the ’70s and ’80s. Because of their strong physical resemblance, many people have questioned if the two actors are related.
Fans and media sites have pointed out this resemblance, and it doesn’t help Jeremy’s lead that he also gained attention at the same time as interest in Gene Wilder’s body of work was rekindled, particularly with the recent remakes of films like Wonka.
But for all the rumours and speculation, Jeremy Allen White has been very clear: He doesn’t share DNA with Gene Wilder—not in any direct way.
What Does Jeremy Allen White Say About the Rumors?
Jeremy has responded with a sense of humour to these rumours several times.
During her Buzzfeed Puppy interview, he was asked, “What’s the craziest rumor you’ve heard about yourself?” Jeremy smiled and answered, “I’m not related to Gene Wilder. I think a lot of people think I am.” He said it with that same smile — as if he was expecting the question.
His “Iron Claw” co-star Zac Efron thought the comparison was hilarious and said, “That’s hilarious, I can kind of see it.” The audience laughed aloud, and Jeremy joined in the fun as co-star Harris Dickinson asked in-jokes, “Are you Gene Wilder?” with, “I am Gene Wilder!”
Jeremy likes to find such instances funny rather than bothersome because, despite their naturalness, his comparison may sometimes become a bit tiresome.
Jeremy’s Admiration for the Gene Wilder
Though there’s no actual familial relation, Jeremy has said he has long admired Gene Wilder. In a “Late Night with Seth Meyers” interview, Jeremy said that one of his favourite movies growing up was “Young Frankenstein.” “I love him so much,” he said, describing watching it repeatedly.
“The first movie that I watched over and over was Young Frankenstein.” There’s a sense of reverence in his words.
Gene Wilder was more than an actor—he was a storyteller, a comedian who could stimulate laughter and empathy in equal measure.
Jeremy doesn’t take lightly how much this legacy entails. During an interview with InStyle, he even said, “Everyone’s decided I look a lot like Gene Wilder, which I agree with. But someone referred to me—or Carmy—as ‘Ketamine Gene Wilder,’ which I found odd and funny.”
Jeremy Allen White
Jeremy Allen White was born on February 17, 1991, in Brooklyn. He became widely known as Phillip “Lip” Gallagher in the long-running series “Shameless,” in which he was the troubled but brilliant eldest son of the unruly Gallagher family.
Jeremy’s Lip was raw, relatable, and unfiltered. A performance that had audiences rooting for him throughout 11 seasons.
More recently, Jeremy has been at the centre of a splash with “The Bear,” he shines as Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto, a fine-dining chef tasked with revitalizing a family sandwich shop in Chicago that has seen better days. As Carmy, he’s earned admiration and an even wider fan base.
His Real Family and Personal Life
To set the record straight, Jeremy Allen White comes from a family without ties to Gene Wilder. Jeremy is the son of Eloise Ziegler, who is from North Carolina, and Richard White. He was raised in Brooklyn with a younger sister, Annabelle.
Despite the Hollywood glitz and glam, Jeremy has never been shy about talking about his humble beginnings and close bond with his family.
He met Addison Timlin, his now ex-wife and actress, in 2008, and they married in 2019. They have two daughters together, born in 2018 and 2020. Though recently divorced, he is focused on his career and fatherhood.
His life, filled with ups and downs, is a far cry from the whimsical world of Willy Wonka, but it’s this authenticity that makes him so relatable to his fans.
Gene Wilder:
Born on June 11, 1933, as Jerome Silberman, Gene Wilder was an American comedian, actor, and director whose name became associated with comedy. Generations after generation fell in love with his work because he created characters like Willy Wonka in such a memorable way.
Wilder was known for his expressive face, ability to convey vulnerability and hilarity in the same breath, and signature curly hair—a trait he coincidentally shares with Jeremy Allen White.
Wilder’s personal life was notable for his relationships and commitment to philanthropy, especially after the death of his third wife, Gilda Radner, who died of cancer. His founding of Gilda’s Club, a cancer support community, has had a lasting impact beyond his onscreen work.
His Family Life and His Legacy
Gene Wilder’s life was also shaped by personal relationships that influenced his career. He’s had four marriages, his most famous being to Gilda Radner, the beloved comedian.
Wilder never had any biological children, but he adopted Katharine, the daughter of his second wife, Mary Joan Schutz. Sadly, his relationship with Katharine became estranged post-divorce from her mother.
Gene was married to Gilda Radner, who died from ovarian cancer in 1989. His sorrow directed him toward helping find Gilda’s Club, a cancer support group, memorializing his career as an entertainer and cementing an identity as a philanthropist striving to change the world.
How Does Jeremy Allen White Handle the Comparisons?
Not everyone deals well with being the double of a celebrity. But Jeremy is being remarkably gracious about the continuing comparisons to Gene Wilder.
In a GQ interview, when asked if he resented people making this constant speculation, Jeremy said, “I’ll take a comparison any day.”
Jeremy’s handling of these comparisons is humble and humorous. He’s not claiming to be Wilder or separating himself from the late actor. Instead, he welcomes the similarity and takes it all in his stride.
“I’m not related, but I’ll take it as a compliment,” he often says. This approach only makes him more endearing to fans and proves his humbleness.
It’s An Endless Topic
Despite Jeremy Allen White’s reiterations of rumours, the comparisons to Gene Wilder aren’t letting up. And maybe that’s not an awful thing. Compared to a legendary talent like Gene Wilder, you know you’re doing something right in Hollywood.
It’s a testament to Jeremy’s talent, his presence on screen, and that hard-to-describe electricity that makes two actors as magnetic as these two.
FAQs
What caused Gene Wilder’s death?
Gene Wilder passed away on August 29, 2016, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. He kept his condition private. Only his close family knew about it.
Who currently lives in Gene Wilder’s house?
The house was sold to his nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, and his wife, Elizabeth Hunter. Jordan had lived there as a child but couldn’t afford the high cost initially.
Is Jeremy Allen White in a relationship?
In September 2024, Jeremy was seen kissing his co-star, Molly Gordon. He and Rosalía also dated after their respective breakups. His ex-wife, Addison Timlin, filed for divorce in May 2023.
Are Jeremy Allen White’s tattoos real?
Yes, Jeremy Allen White has six tattoos, some of them including a triangle and his daughter Ezer’s name. Other tattoos include the initials ‘R.W.’ and the word’ sweet.
