Mel Brooks

About

Mel Brooks, born Melvin Kaminsky on June 28, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York, is an acclaimed American film director, writer, actor, and producer known for his broad, farcical comedies. Brooks served in World War II before starting his entertainment career in the 1940s as a stand-up comic and writer for television variety shows. Notable among his filmography are hits like "The Producers" (1967), which won him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, "Blazing Saddles" (1974), and "Young Frankenstein" (1974). He is one of the few individuals who has achieved the "EGOT" – winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. Mel Brooks, often regarded as a comedy legend, also co-created the successful sitcom "Get Smart" (1965–1970) with Buck Henry.

Associated With

Mel Brooks has an expansive network of associations in the film and entertainment industry. He started his career by writing sketch comedy for Sid Caesar on "Your Show of Shows" alongside writers like Carl Reiner and Neil Simon. As an actor, he collaborated with actors like Gene Wilder in films like "The Producers," "Blazing Saddles," and "Young Frankenstein." As a director and producer, he worked with an array of notable talents such as Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, and Dom DeLuise. Brooks married actress Anne Bancroft in 1964, and together they appeared in several films. Additionally, he co-created the television series "Get Smart" with Buck Henry and has had notable associations with many others throughout his impactful career.

Career Highlights

• 1949 - Mel Brooks started working as a writer for the Admiral Broadway Revue, a television series.
• 1961 - He won an Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for "The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special."
• 1965 - He co-created and wrote the spy parody show "Get Smart," earning him two Emmy Awards in 1967 and 1968.
• 1968 - Brooks made his directorial debut with "The Producers," which earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
• 1974 - His film "Blazing Saddles" became one of his most well-known works.
• 1975 - His iconic horror spoof "Young Frankenstein" was released.
• 1981 - "The Elephant Man," which he produced, was nominated for eight Academy Awards.
• 1983 - His movie "To Be or Not to Be" was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best Original Song category.
• 1987 - Brooks won a Grammy for Best Spoken Comedy Album for "The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000."
• 1997 - He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• 2001 - His musical adaptation of "The Producers" premiered on Broadway, winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards.
• 2003 - Brooks was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• 2009 - Brooks received the Kennedy Center Honors, recognizing his lifetime contributions to American culture.
• 2015 - He was awarded the National Medal of Arts.
• 2017 - He was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship, the highest award given by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Notable Awards

• Mel Brooks is a highly noted and awarded filmmaker, actor, and composer. Some of his notable awards are:
• Academy Award (Oscar) for Best Original Screenplay for "The Producers" in 1969.
• Three Tony Awards for "The Producers" in 2001: Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book of a Musical.
• Two Grammy Awards: Best Musical Show Album for "The Producers" in 2002 and Best Long Form Music Video for "Recording 'The Producers': A Musical Romp with Mel Brooks" in 2002.
• Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety in 1967 for "The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special", and three awards for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for "Mad About You" in 1997, 1998, and 1999.
• AFI Life Achievement Award in 2013.
• Kennedy Center Honors in 2009.
• Hollywood Walk of Fame Star in 2010.
• BAFTA Fellowship in 2017.
• National Medal of Arts in 2000.
• Additionally, he's one of the selective few to belong to the "EGOT" club, meaning he's won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and a Tony award.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Mel Brooks Movie/TV Show?

Mel Brooks has created numerous popular films throughout his career, but perhaps his most renowned and popular movie is "Young Frankenstein." Released in 1974, the film is a comedic parody of the classic horror film genre, particularly the various film adaptations of Mary Shelley's novel "Frankenstein" produced by Universal Pictures. The movie, which Brooks directed and co-wrote with lead actor Gene Wilder, was a critical and commercial success. It was even selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2003 by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Brooks's filmography is undeniably influential, but "Young Frankenstein" arguably holds the pinnacle position.

How Did Mel Brooks Get Famous?

Mel Brooks became famous due to his successful career as a comedian, director, and writer. He began his career as a writer on the iconic 1950s television show “Your Show of Shows” and later co-created the 1960s television series “Get Smart.” However, he cemented his fame with his ventures into film. He became renowned for his unique comedic style in popular films like "The Producers" in 1967, which won him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. His other critically acclaimed films, such as "Blazing Saddles," "Young Frankenstein," and "Spaceballs," have also played significant roles in establishing his sterling reputation in the entertainment industry.