Is Jeremy Allen White related to Gene Wilder? Speculations about The Bear actor, explored

The Bear actor Jeremy Allen White is often rumored to be related to the late actor Gene Wilder because of their uncanny resemblance.

Wilder, known for his role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory in 1971, is often assumed to be the grandfather of White. While many celebrities are often compared with each other due to their resemblance, they look alike to the extent that people on the Internet were sure that White is Wilder's long-lost son.

The Bear actor is often compared to Wilder because of his curly locks, short pout, and striking blue eyes.

The speculations went rampant when actor Timothée Chalamet was confirmed to star in Wonka, replacing Wilder. Many even called out the makers for not choosing White, as he resembles the original actor too much, calling it an 'opportunity wasted'.

While many people think this, White and Wilder share no connection and are not blood-related. The actors do not even have any common ancestry, and it is just a chance that they resemble each other too much.

---

The Bear star Jeremy White is not related to the late Gene Wilder

In the wake of all these rumors, we did some digging to find out about the two actor's ancestry and look for a common link between them. But alas! There isn't any because the two actors are not related to each other.

While many people on the internet speculated that White is Wilder's son or grandson, this can't be true because the late actor has no biological children.

While the actor married a total of four times, he never had any biological children of his own. He did adopt his second ex-wife, Mary Joan Schutz's daughter, Katharine. But the two became estranged after this marriage broke. So, White being Wilder's long-lost son/grandson cannot be true.

On the other hand, The Bear actor has two daughters with his ex-wife, actress Addison Timlin, with whom he divorced in 2023.

---

Reddit and X responses on the actor's resemblance

Even while the actors are in no capacity to relate to each other, the internet cannot stop linking them with each other. There is a trend of holding unofficial lookalike contests of celebrities nowadays, and a similar contest was held for The Bear actor in Chicago, to which an X user posted this:

This Reddit user, u/MooseMan12992, thinks that White could pass for a Wonka, based in New Jersey:

''Someone said Jeremey Allen White looks like Willy Wonka if his factory was in New Jersey''

It looks like the internet comments have reached White, and this user, u/intestinal_turmoil, also feels that they are 'freakishly similar':

''They look so much alike it’s freakish. I’ve been watching interviews with cast members on YouTube and I saw one where he acknowledges and even seems to agree with the Gene Wilder comments.''

''I’ve been saying he’s a sexy, young, Gene Wilder, from the moment I saw him!!'' u/Stoopkid253

Some more X responses suggest how people think the actors are very similar-looking:

Well, even while the speculations of their resemblance may not be true, makers know whom to contact if they plan on a Gene Wilder biopic.

---

For the latest scoops on your favorite TV shows and movies, follow SoapCentral.