Katharine Wilder is an American actress known for her roles in films such as Call the Midwife, Ready Player One, and Darwin Story. She is widely recognized as the only daughter of American actor and comedian Gene Wilder, famous for his portrayal of Willy Wonka in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Despite her famous father, Katharine has maintained a low profile throughout her life.
Profile Summary
- Full name: Katharine Schutz Wilder
- Gender: Female
- Date of birth: 1960s
- Age: 50-60 years old (as of 2025)
- Place of birth: United States of America
- Current residence: United States of America
- Nationality: American
- Ethnicity: White
- Religion: Christianity
- Sexuality: Straight
- Height: 5'7" (170 cm)
- Weight: 174 lbs (79 kg)
- Hair colour: Strawberry blonde
- Eye colour: Brown
- Mother: Mary Joan Schutz
- Father: Gene Wilder
- Profession: Actress
- Net worth: $500,000
Early Life and Family
Katharine Wilder was born in the United States of America to Mary Joan Schutz and Jerome Silberman, famously known as Gene Wilder. Gene Wilder is not her biological father; he adopted her when he married her mother on 27 October 1967. The couple divorced after 13 years, which led to an estranged relationship between Katharine and her father. Reports suggest the divorce occurred because Mary Joan Schutz believed Gene had an affair with his Young Frankenstein co-star, Madeline Kahn. After the divorce, Katharine cut all ties with her father. In an attempt to restore their relationship, Gene Wilder wrote a book titled Kiss Me Like a Stranger: My Search for Love and Art for his daughter. Gene Wilder passed away on 29 August 2016.
Age and Personal Life
The actress has kept her life private, and personal details like her exact date of birth remain unknown. According to some sources, she was born in the 1960s, so she could be in her 50s or 60s as of 2025.
Gene Wilder's Marriages and Death
After his marriage to Katharine's mother ended, Gene Wilder married American actress Gilda Radner in 1984. Following Gilda's death, he married American costume designer Karen Boyer in 1991, remaining with her until his death on 29 August 2016. Gene Wilder died from complications of Alzheimer's disease at his home in Stamford, Connecticut. His nephew, Jordan Walker-Pearlman, confirmed the cause of death to the New York Times.
Career and Fame
Katharine Wilder is an actress known for her portrayal of Audrey Fleming in the television series Call the Midwife. She is also famous for being the daughter of the renowned actor, comedian, writer, and filmmaker Gene Wilder. Gene Wilder made his acting debut in 1961, playing Happy in the television series Play of the Week. He won multiple awards during his career, including a Special Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, and Nebula Award. He also authored books such as The Woman in Red, The Woman Who Wouldn't, and Even Dogs Learn How to Swim.
Filmography
According to her IMDb profile, Katharine Wilder has 16 acting credits. Below are some of her notable films and TV shows:
- 2024: The Faceless Lady – Margaret Hodnett
- 2024: True Detective – Blair Hartman
- 2023: Darwin Story – Lee
- 2023: Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story – Miss Fernburst
- 2023: Dangerous Liaisons – Eloise de Chalon
- 2022: Anatomy of a Scandal – Kitty Ledger
- 2019: Two Heads Creek – Annabelle
- 2017-2018: Frontier – Chaulk
Net Worth
According to Digital Ocean and InfoCradle, Katharine Wilder's net worth is estimated to be $500,000. In comparison, her father Gene Wilder's net worth before his death was alleged to be $20 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth and Naija News.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Katharine Wilder?
She is an American actress famous as the daughter of Gene Wilder.
Who is Katharine Wilder's mother?
Her mother is Mary Joan Schutz.
How old is Katharine Wilder?
She is in her 50s or 60s as of 2025.
Did Gene Wilder have biological children?
No, Katharine Wilder is the only child of the American author. He adopted her when he married her mother in 1967.
Who is Katharine Wilder's son?
The actress has kept her life private, so it is unknown if she has a son.
What is Katharine Wilder's nationality?
She is American.
Katharine Wilder is the only child of the American author and comedian Gene Wilder. She is an established actress known for her notable roles in movies such as Darwin Story and Two Heads Creek. Despite being famous as an actress and the child of a renowned actor, she has maintained a low profile.
