Mel Brooks tells Jimmy Fallon he wishes he could still call Gene Wilder

When Mel Brooks paired with the late Gene Wilder, the two were unstoppable, producing three of the most hilarious American comedies to ever hit screens — The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein. But following the death of "his dear friend," Brooks took Jimmy Fallon back to when the two first met, and The Producers was still nothing more than an idea.

"I said, after we get the money, you are going to be Leo Bloom," Brooks recalled telling Wilder. "He said, 'Oh, yeah, when you get the money. You're doing a play about two Jews who are producing a flop instead of a hit knowing they can make more money with a flop, and the big number in it is 'Springtime for Hitler.' Yeah, you're going to get the money!" Of course, the rest is history.

Brooks told Fallon that he knew Wilder was sick. "I expected it, I expected he would go, but I don't know. When it happens, it's still tremendous. It's still a big shock. I'm still reeling from that. No more Gene. I can't call him. And he was such a wonderful part of my life," Brooks said. Hear him reflect on their time together, below. Jeva Lange

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up