MB
Mel Brooks
Actor, Producer, Writer, Director, Additional CreditsBorn June 28, 1926 (99 years)
Melvin James Brooks (né Kaminsky; June 28, 1926) is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, and songwriter. With a career spanning over seven decades, he is known as a writer and director of a variety of successful broad farces and parodies. A recipient of numerous accolades, he is one of 21 entertainers to win the EGOT (which includes an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony). He received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2009, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2010, the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2013, a British Film Institute Fellowship in 2015, a National Medal of Arts in 2016, a BAFTA Fellowship in 2017, and the Honorary Academy Award in 2024.
Brooks began his career as a comic and a writer for Sid Caesar's variety show Your Show of Shows(1950–1954). There, he worked with Neil Simon, Woody Allen, Larry Gelbart, and Carl Reiner. With Reiner, he co-created the comedy sketch The 2000 Year Old Man. He released several comedy albums, starting with 2000 Year Old Man in 1960. Brooks received five nominations for the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album, finally winning in 1999. With Buck Henry, he created the hit satirical spy comedy series Get Smart (1965–1970) on NBC television.
Brooks won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for The Producers (1967). He then rose to prominence by directing a string of successful comedy films such as The Twelve Chairs (1970), Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), Silent Movie (1976), and High Anxiety (1977). Later, Brooks made History of the World, Part I (1981), Spaceballs (1987), Life Stinks (1991), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), and Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995). A musical adaptation of his first film, The Producers, ran on Broadway from 2001 to 2007 and earned Brooks three Tony Awards. The project was remade into a musical film in 2005. He wrote and produced the Hulu series History of the World, Part II (2023).
Brooks was married to actress Anne Bancroft from 1964 until she died in 2005. Their son, Max Brooks, is an actor and author known for his novel World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War (2006). In 2021, Mel Brooks published his memoir titled All About Me!. Three of his films are included on the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 comedy films of the past 100 years (1900–2000), all of which were ranked in the top 15: Blazing Saddles at number 6, The Producers at number 11, and Young Frankenstein at number 13.
Brooks began his career as a comic and a writer for Sid Caesar's variety show Your Show of Shows(1950–1954). There, he worked with Neil Simon, Woody Allen, Larry Gelbart, and Carl Reiner. With Reiner, he co-created the comedy sketch The 2000 Year Old Man. He released several comedy albums, starting with 2000 Year Old Man in 1960. Brooks received five nominations for the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album, finally winning in 1999. With Buck Henry, he created the hit satirical spy comedy series Get Smart (1965–1970) on NBC television.
Brooks won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for The Producers (1967). He then rose to prominence by directing a string of successful comedy films such as The Twelve Chairs (1970), Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), Silent Movie (1976), and High Anxiety (1977). Later, Brooks made History of the World, Part I (1981), Spaceballs (1987), Life Stinks (1991), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), and Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995). A musical adaptation of his first film, The Producers, ran on Broadway from 2001 to 2007 and earned Brooks three Tony Awards. The project was remade into a musical film in 2005. He wrote and produced the Hulu series History of the World, Part II (2023).
Brooks was married to actress Anne Bancroft from 1964 until she died in 2005. Their son, Max Brooks, is an actor and author known for his novel World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War (2006). In 2021, Mel Brooks published his memoir titled All About Me!. Three of his films are included on the American Film Institute's list of the top 100 comedy films of the past 100 years (1900–2000), all of which were ranked in the top 15: Blazing Saddles at number 6, The Producers at number 11, and Young Frankenstein at number 13.
Known For
Featured Videos
Mel Brooks Filmography
| 2023 | Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love · as Announcer (voice) |
| 2023 | History of the World, Part II (TV Series) · as Narrator |
| 2022 | Little Demon (TV Series) · as Millipede |
| 2022 | Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank · as Shogun (voice) |
| 2021 | History of the Sitcom (TV Series) · as Producer |
| 2019 | Forky Asks a Question: What Is Love? · as Melephant Brooks (voice) |
| 2019 | Forky Asks a Question (TV Series) · as Melephant Brooks |
| 2019 | Toy Story 4 · as Melephant Brooks (voice) |
| 2018 | Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation · as Vlad (voice) |
| 2017 | The Green Fog · as Richard H. Thorndyke |
| 2016 | Leap! · as Mustachioed Creep (voice) |
| 2015 | The Guardian Brothers · as Rogman |
| 2015 | Hotel Transylvania 2 · as Vlad (voice) |
| 2014 | Mr. Peabody & Sherman · as Albert Einstein (voice) |
| 2013 | Underdogs · as Agent |
| 2013 | When Comedy Went to School · as Cast |
| 2011 | The Paul Reiser Show (TV Series) · as The Angry Cat (voice) |
| 2010 | Ruby's Studio: The Feelings Show · as Sally Simon Simmons Narrator |
| 2009 | Glenn Martin DDS (TV Series) |
| 2009 | Special Agent Oso (TV Series) · as Grandpa Mel |
| 2008 | Spaceballs: The Animated Series (TV Series) · as President Skroob / Yogurt (voice) |
| 2005 | The Producers · as Hilda The Pigeon / Tom The Cat (voice) |
| 2005 | Cuando España se desnudó · as Cast |
| 2005 | Robots · as Bigweld (voice) |
| 2003 | Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks (TV Series) · as Wiley (voice) |
| 2002 | It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie · as Joe Snow (voice) |
| 2002 | The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (TV Series) · as Santa Claus (voice) |
| 2001 | Primetime Glick (TV Series) |
| 2000 | The Kids from Room 402 (TV Series) · as Mr. Miller |
| 2000 | Dora the Explorer (TV Series) · as Mad Hatter |
| 2000 | Sex, Lies and Video Violence · as Stressed Old Man |
| 2000 | Up at the Villa · as Train Station Man |
| 1999 | Screw Loose · as Jake Gordon |
| 1995 | Dracula: Dead and Loving It · as Prof. Abraham Van Helsing |
| 1994 | The Little Rascals · as Mr. Welling |
| 1994 | The Silence of the Hams · as Checkout Guest (uncredited) |
| 1993 | RTL Samstag Nacht (DE) (TV Series) |
| 1993 | Frasier (TV Series) · as Tom (voice) |
| 1993 | Robin Hood: Men in Tights · as Rabbi Tuckman |
| 1992 | Mad About You (TV Series) · as Uncle Phil |
| 1991 | Noel's House Party (TV Series) |
| 1991 | Life Stinks · as Goddard Bolt |
| 1990 | Look Who's Talking Too · as Mr. Toilet Man (voice) |
| 1989 | The Simpsons (TV Series) · as Mel Brooks (voice) |
| 1987 | Spaceballs · as President Skroob / Yogurt |
| 1987 | The Tracey Ullman Show (TV Series) · as Buzz Schlanger |
| 1983 | To Be or Not to Be · as Dr. Frederick Bronski |
| 1982 | Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter · as Richard H. Thorndyke |
| 1981 | History of the World: Part I · as Moses / Comicus / Torquemada / Jacques / King Louis Xvi |
| 1979 | The Muppet Movie · as Professor Max Krassman |
| 1978 | Peeping Times · as Adolf Hitler |
| 1977 | High Anxiety · as Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke |
| 1976 | Silent Movie · as Mel Funn |
| 1975 | The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother · as Lion Victim (voice) |
| 1975 | When Things Were Rotten (TV Series) · as Guard (uncredited) |
| 1975 | The 2000 Year Old Man · as 2000 Year Old Man (voice) |
| 1974 | Young Frankenstein · as Werewolf / Cat / Victor Frankenstein (voice) (uncredited) |
| 1974 | Free to Be... You & Me · as Baby Boy (voice) |
| 1974 | Blazing Saddles · as Governor William J. Le Petomane / Indian Chief |
| 1971 | The Electric Company (TV Series) |
| 1970 | The Twelve Chairs · as Tikon |
| 1969 | Putney Swope · as Mr. Forget It |
| 1967 | The Producers · as Singer In "springtime For Hitler" (voice) (uncredited) |
| 1963 | The Critic · as Narrator (voice) |
| 1961 | The New Steve Allen Show (TV Series) · as 2000 Year Old Man |
| 1948 | The Milton Berle Show (TV Series) · as Pitchman's Stooge (window Washer) |
The Land of Sometimes · as The Postman (voice) |
| 2023 | History of the World, Part II (TV Series) · as Executive Producer |
| 2022 | Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank · as Executive Producer |
| 2017 | |
| 2015 | Mel Brooks Live at the Geffen · as Executive Producer |
| 2012 | Mel Brooks Strikes Back! · as Executive Producer |
| 2008 | Spaceballs: The Animated Series (TV Series) · as Executive Producer |
| 2005 | |
| 1995 | |
| 1993 | |
| 1992 | The Vagrant · as Executive Producer |
| 1991 | |
| 1989 | The Nutt House (TV Series) · as Executive Producer |
| 1989 | |
| 1987 | |
| 1987 | 84 Charing Cross Road · as Executive Producer |
| 1986 | |
| 1986 | |
| 1985 | The Doctor and the Devils · as Executive Producer |
| 1983 | |
| 1982 | Frances · as Executive Producer |
| 1982 | My Favorite Year · as Executive Producer |
| 1981 | |
| 1980 | |
| 1980 | |
| 1978 | |
| 1977 | |
| 1975 | When Things Were Rotten (TV Series) |
The Land of Sometimes · as Executive Producer |
| 2023 | History of the World, Part II (TV Series) |
| 2022 | Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank · as Original Film Writer |
| 2015 | |
| 2008 | Spaceballs: The Animated Series (TV Series) |
| 2005 | The Producers · as Screenplay |
| 1995 | Dracula: Dead and Loving It · as Screenplay |
| 1993 | Robin Hood: Men in Tights · as Screenplay |
| 1991 | Life Stinks · as Screenplay |
| 1987 | Spaceballs · as Screenplay |
| 1983 | |
| 1981 | History of the World: Part I · as Screenplay |
| 1977 | |
| 1976 | Silent Movie · as Screenplay |
| 1975 | When Things Were Rotten (TV Series) |
| 1975 | |
| 1974 | Young Frankenstein · as Screenplay |
| 1974 | Blazing Saddles · as Screenplay |
| 1973 | |
| 1970 | The Twelve Chairs · as Screenplay |
| 1967 | |
| 1965 | Get Smart (TV Series) |
| 1963 | |
| 1961 | |
| 1959 | The Play of the Week (TV Series) |
| 1954 | Caesar's Hour (TV Series) |
| 1954 | |
| 1953 | The United States Steel Hour (TV Series) |
| 1950 | Your Show of Shows (TV Series) |
| 2025 | John Candy: I Like Me · as Self |
| 2025 | Paddy Chayefsky: Collector of Words · as Self |
| 2025 | David Lynch: A Hollywood Enigma · as Self |
| 2024 | From Darkness to Light · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2024 | Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution · as Self - Comedian |
| 2023 | Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic · as Self |
| 2023 | Albert Brooks: Defending My Life · as Self |
| 2023 | Remembering Gene Wilder · as Self |
| 2021 | The Automat · as Self |
| 2021 | Only Murders in the Building (TV Series) · as Mel Brooks |
| 2020 | Ronnie's · as Self |
| 2019 | Carl Laemmle · as Self |
| 2018 | The Great Buster · as Self |
| 2018 | Bathtubs Over Broadway · as Self |
| 2018 | |
| 2018 | Mel Brooks: Unwrapped · as Self |
| 2018 | Somebody Feed Phil (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | Laddie: The Man Behind the Movies · as Self |
| 2017 | If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast · as Self |
| 2017 | Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story · as Self |
| 2017 | 2017 EE British Academy Film Awards · as Self - Bafta Fellowship Recipient |
| 2016 | To Tell The Truth (2016) (TV Series) · as Self - Panelist |
| 2016 | |
| 2016 | The Last Laugh · as Self |
| 2016 | Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You · as Self |
| 2015 | |
| 2015 | The 67th Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2015 | The Comedians (2015) (TV Series) · as Mel Brooks |
| 2015 | The Late Late Show with James Corden (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2015 | Mel Brooks Live at the Geffen · as Self |
| 2014 | Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee: Single Shot (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2014 | Good Morning Britain (TV Series) · as Self - Interviewee |
| 2014 | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2013 | The Queen Latifah Show (2013) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2013 | Mel Brooks: Make a Noise · as Self |
| 2013 | Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic · as Self |
| 2013 | Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy · as Self |
| 2012 | Mel Brooks Strikes Back! · as Self |
| 2012 | |
| 2012 | Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | Excavating the 2000 Year Old Man · as Self |
| 2012 | Inside Comedy (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2011 | Abschied von den Fröschen · as Self |
| 2011 | |
| 2011 | The Jonathan Ross Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2010 | Conan (2010) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2010 | The Talk (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2009 | The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts · as Self - Honoree |
| 2009 | |
| 2009 | Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1980s, 1990s and 2000s · as Self (archive) |
| 2009 | |
| 2008 | Mike Douglas: Moments & Memories · as Self |
| 2007 | |
| 2007 | The Making of 'the Larry Sanders Show' · as Self |
| 2007 | Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s and '70s · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2006 | The ONE Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2006 | Forbes Celebrity 100: Who Made Bank? · as Self |
| 2006 | The 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards 2006 · as Self - Nominee |
| 2006 | The 11th Annual Critics' Choice Awards · as Self |
| 2005 | The Young Turks (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | |
| 2004 | Broadway: The American Musical (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The 46th Annual TV Week Logie Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2004 | Tavis Smiley (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2003 | The Award Show Awards Show · as Self |
| 2003 | 20h10 pétantes (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | imagine... (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | 100 Years of Hope and Humor · as Self |
| 2003 | Enough Rope with Andrew Denton (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Real Time with Bill Maher (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2002 | The Making of 'the Producers' · as Self |
| 2001 | |
| 2001 | The 55th Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 2000 | Curb Your Enthusiasm (TV Series) · as Mel Brooks |
| 2000 | |
| 1999 | The Martin Short Show (1999) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1999 | Independent Lens (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1998 | |
| 1998 | |
| 1998 | The 50th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Presenter & Winner |
| 1997 | The Directors (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1997 | |
| 1997 | The 49th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Presenter & Winner |
| 1997 | I Am Your Child · as Self |
| 1996 | Ein Abend mit Peter Ustinov · as Self |
| 1996 | Caesar's Writers · as Self |
| 1996 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1995 | The Frank Skinner Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1995 | 50 Years of Funny Females · as Self |
| 1994 | |
| 1993 | Live & Kicking (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1993 | Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1993 | |
| 1992 | Holiday Greetings from 'The Ed Sullivan Show' · as Self - Comedian |
| 1992 | Gottschalk Late Night (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1992 | HBO First Look (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1992 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1992 | Dateline NBC (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1991 | Charlie Rose (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1991 | The 5th Annual American Comedy Awards · as Self |
| 1990 | Intimate Portrait (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1989 | Clive Anderson Talks Back (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1987 | Biography (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1986 | The 58th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Audience Member |
| 1985 | American Masters (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1985 | Larry King Live (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1984 | Jeopardy! (TV Series) · as Self - Video Clue Presenter |
| 1983 | An Audience with Mel Brooks · as Self |
| 1982 | Channel 4 News (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | Wogan (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | Cinéma cinémas (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | Champs-Elysees (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1979 | The Muppets Go Hollywood · as Self |
| 1979 | CBS Sunday Morning With Jane Pauley (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1978 | An Audience With (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1977 | The 34th Annual Golden Globe Awards · as Self |
| 1976 | Lørdagshjørnet (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1976 | Working in the Theatre (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Arena (1975) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Good Morning America (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1974 | Dinah! (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1973 | AFI Life Achievement Award (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1971 | Film (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1971 | Parkinson (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1971 | Great Performances (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1969 | The 41st Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 1968 | 60 Minutes (TV Series) · as Self - Creator, The Producers (segment: Mel Brooks On Broadway) |
| 1968 | What's My Line? (1968) (TV Series) · as Self - Mystery Guest |
| 1968 | The Dick Cavett Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1967 | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1966 | Eye Guess (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1965 | The Hollywood Squares (TV Series) · as Self - Panelist |
| 1965 | The 37th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Audience Member |
| 1964 | The Celebrity Game (TV Series) · as Self - Panelist |
| 1964 | Jeopardy! (1964) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1964 | The Hollywood Palace (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1962 | The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1962 | The Merv Griffin Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1961 | The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1959 | Grammy Awards (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1956 | Tony Awards (TV Series) · as Self - Winner |
| 1954 | Disneyland (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1953 | The Academy Awards (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1952 | Today (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1948 | The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1944 | Golden Globe Awards (TV Series) · as Self - Nominee |
| 2021 | The Automat · as Songs |
| 2008 | Spaceballs: The Animated Series (TV Series) · as Main Title Theme Composer |
| 2008 | Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control · as Characters |
| 2008 | Get Smart · as Characters |
| 2005 | The Producers · as Songs |
| 1989 | The Nutt House (TV Series) · as Creator |
| 1980 | The Nude Bomb · as Characters |
| 1977 | High Anxiety · as Songs |
| 1974 | Blazing Saddles · as Songs |
| 1971 | Great Performances (TV Series) · as Composer |
| 1971 | Great Performances (TV Series) · as Book For The Musical Play 'the Producers' |
| 1970 | Shinbone Alley · as Author |
| 1967 | The Producers · as Songs |
| 1967 | The Producers · as Lyricist |
| 1964 | The Hollywood Palace (TV Series) · as Mr. Caesar's Sketch Written By |
| 1963 | The Dick Emery Show (TV Series) · as Script |