Mel Brooks

Mel Brooks (born Melvin James Kaminsky on June 28, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York) is a legendary American screen artist celebrated for his fearless comedy, sharp timing, and enduring presence as an actor, writer, director, and songwriter. Across more than seven decades, he helped define modern parody and farce, becoming one of the rare entertainers to achieve EGOT status.

Brooks first broke through in television as a writer on Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows, collaborating in a famously talent-packed room. He later co-created the beloved “2000 Year Old Man” routines with Carl Reiner, released successful comedy albums, and—alongside Buck Henry—helped bring satirical spy humor to prime time with Get Smart.

In film, Brooks won an Academy Award for The Producers and went on to headline and shape a run of iconic comedies. As an actor, he’s memorably seen in Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie, History of the World: Part I, and Spaceballs (as President Skroob/Yogurt), among other notable appearances.

His achievements have been recognized with major lifetime honors, including the Kennedy Center Honor, AFI Life Achievement Award, and an Honorary Academy Award (2024). Brooks was married to Anne Bancroft until her death in 2005, is the father of author Max Brooks, and published his memoir All About Me! in 2021.