Mel Stuart, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory Director, Dead at 83

Filmmaker helmed more than 180 films in a career that spanned over 50 years

Mel Stuart definitely made our childhoods a little bit sweeter.

The veteran director, who helmed the 1971 classic Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, passed away on Thursday. He was 83.

Per the BBC, Stuart died from cancer at his Beverly Hills home.

Born in New York, Stuart spent much of his more than 50-year career creating documentaries and earned an Oscar nomination in 1965 for his John F. Kennedy-assassination film, Four Days in November.

And while he made more than 180 films, Stuart will undoubtedly be best remembered for bringing Roald Dahl's novel to life with Gene Wilder starring as the famous candy maker.

He is survived by his wife, Roberta, and three children.