Mel Brooks

Mel Brooks

Acting
Born 1926-06-28Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Biography

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.

Movies (103)

Toy Story 4
7.5

Toy Story 4

2019Movie7.5
Spaceballs
6.9

Spaceballs

1987Movie6.9
Hotel Transylvania 2
6.8

Hotel Transylvania 2

2015Movie6.8
Robots
6.5

Robots

2005Movie6.5
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
6.8

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

2018Movie6.8
The Little Rascals
6.8

The Little Rascals

1994Movie6.8
Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
6.6

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank

2022Movie6.6
Mr. Peabody & Sherman
6.7

Mr. Peabody & Sherman

2014Movie6.7
Ballerina
7.2

Ballerina

2016Movie7.2
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
6.6

Robin Hood: Men in Tights

1993Movie6.6
Young Frankenstein
7.9

Young Frankenstein

1974Movie7.9
Blazing Saddles
7.2

Blazing Saddles

1974Movie7.2
The Muppet Movie
7.2

The Muppet Movie

1979Movie7.2
John Candy: I Like Me
7.9

John Candy: I Like Me

2025Movie7.9
The Producers
6.2

The Producers

2005Movie6.2
Dracula: Dead and Loving It
6.1

Dracula: Dead and Loving It

1995Movie6.1
Life Stinks
5.6

Life Stinks

1991Movie5.6
Look Who's Talking Too
5.5

Look Who's Talking Too

1990Movie5.5
The Producers
7.1

The Producers

1968Movie7.1
Silent Movie
6.5

Silent Movie

1976Movie6.5
Spaceballs: The New One

Spaceballs: The New One

2027Movie
High Anxiety
6.4

High Anxiety

1977Movie6.4
The Last Laugh
7.0

The Last Laugh

2016Movie7.0
Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic
7.0

Dick Van Dyke: 98 Years of Magic

2023Movie7.0
It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie
6.0

It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie

2002Movie6.0
History of the World: Part I
6.8

History of the World: Part I

1981Movie6.8
Grown Ups 3

Grown Ups 3

Movie
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story
6.9

Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story

2018Movie6.9
To Be or Not to Be
6.7

To Be or Not to Be

1983Movie6.7
Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic
7.1

Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic

2013Movie7.1
The Silence of the Hams
4.9

The Silence of the Hams

1994Movie4.9
The Land of Sometimes
6.1

The Land of Sometimes

2026Movie6.1
From Darkness to Light
6.7

From Darkness to Light

2025Movie6.7
The Muppets Go Hollywood
6.2

The Muppets Go Hollywood

1979Movie6.2
The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld
4.0

The Hanging of Stuart Cornfeld

2025Movie4.0
The Twelve Chairs
6.2

The Twelve Chairs

1970Movie6.2
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother
6.0

The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother

1975Movie6.0
Untitled Lani Pixels Project

Untitled Lani Pixels Project

Movie
'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' – The Legend Had It Coming
6.4

'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' – The Legend Had It Coming

1993Movie6.4
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
8.1

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

2013Movie8.1
Spaceballs: The Totally Warped Animated Adventures

Spaceballs: The Totally Warped Animated Adventures

2008Movie
Remembering Gene Wilder
7.3

Remembering Gene Wilder

2024Movie7.3
Screw Loose
4.1

Screw Loose

1999Movie4.1
Mel Brooks: The Genius Entertainer
6.0

Mel Brooks: The Genius Entertainer

2017Movie6.0
The Great Buster: A Celebration
7.2

The Great Buster: A Celebration

2018Movie7.2
Forky Asks a Question: What Is Love?
6.4

Forky Asks a Question: What Is Love?

2019Movie6.4
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You
7.1

Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You

2016Movie7.1
Peeping Times
3.0

Peeping Times

1978Movie3.0
Hitler: The Comedy Years
5.0

Hitler: The Comedy Years

2007Movie5.0
Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1980s, 1990s and 2000s

Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1980s, 1990s and 2000s

2009Movie
The Automat
6.8

The Automat

2021Movie6.8
Making History: Mel Brooks on Creating the World

Making History: Mel Brooks on Creating the World

2009Movie
Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch
7.2

Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch

1997Movie7.2
An Audience with Mel Brooks
7.0

An Audience with Mel Brooks

1984Movie7.0
Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s

Cutting Edge Comedians of the '60s & '70s

2007Movie
Caesar's Writers
9.0

Caesar's Writers

1996Movie9.0
Mickey's Audition
4.0

Mickey's Audition

1992Movie4.0
Sunset People
8.0

Sunset People

1984Movie8.0
Sex, Lies and Video Violence
5.2

Sex, Lies and Video Violence

2000Movie5.2
Laddie: The Man Behind the Movies
5.4

Laddie: The Man Behind the Movies

2017Movie5.4
Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love
6.0

Sarah Silverman: Someone You Love

2023Movie6.0
Mickey's 50
9.0

Mickey's 50

1978Movie9.0
Spaceballs: The Documentary

Spaceballs: The Documentary

2005Movie
The Sid Caesar Collection: Inside the Writer's Room
8.0

The Sid Caesar Collection: Inside the Writer's Room

2000Movie8.0
Silent Laughter: The Reel Inspirations of 'Silent Movie'

Silent Laughter: The Reel Inspirations of 'Silent Movie'

2009Movie
Hitchcock and Mel: Spoofing the Master of Suspense

Hitchcock and Mel: Spoofing the Master of Suspense

2009Movie
A Night at the Movies: The Suspenseful World of Thrillers
6.7

A Night at the Movies: The Suspenseful World of Thrillers

2009Movie6.7
Recording the Producers: A Musical Romp with Mel Brooks
9.2

Recording the Producers: A Musical Romp with Mel Brooks

2001Movie9.2
Untitled Nathan Lane Documentary

Untitled Nathan Lane Documentary

Movie
Mel Brooks: Unwrapped
6.4

Mel Brooks: Unwrapped

2018Movie6.4
Free to Be… You and Me
6.8

Free to Be… You and Me

1974Movie6.8
Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story
6.8

Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story

2017Movie6.8
Blaze of Glory: Mel Brooks' Wild, Wild West
1.0

Blaze of Glory: Mel Brooks' Wild, Wild West

2014Movie1.0
Mel Brooks: Live at the Geffen
6.8

Mel Brooks: Live at the Geffen

2015Movie6.8
Free to Be... a Family
8.8

Free to Be... a Family

1988Movie8.8
Sid Caesar Collection: Buried Treasures - The Legend of Sid Caesar
7.0

Sid Caesar Collection: Buried Treasures - The Legend of Sid Caesar

2003Movie7.0
Back in the Saddle
6.5

Back in the Saddle

2001Movie6.5
If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast
7.1

If You're Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast

2017Movie7.1
The Sid Caesar Collection: Creating the Comedy
7.0

The Sid Caesar Collection: Creating the Comedy

2000Movie7.0
Musical Mel: Inventing The Inquisition

Musical Mel: Inventing The Inquisition

2009Movie
Mel Brooks: Seriously... Well, Almost
4.0

Mel Brooks: Seriously... Well, Almost

2024Movie4.0
Enormous

Enormous

Movie
Paddy Chayefsky: Collector of Words
7.5

Paddy Chayefsky: Collector of Words

2025Movie7.5
Flower of the Dawn

Flower of the Dawn

2025Movie
Annie: The Women in the Life of a Man

Annie: The Women in the Life of a Man

1970Movie
Spaceballs: In Conversation - Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan
6.0

Spaceballs: In Conversation - Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan

2005Movie6.0
The Terrible Elephant Man Revealed
6.5

The Terrible Elephant Man Revealed

2001Movie6.5
It's Alive: The True Story of Frankenstein
7.7

It's Alive: The True Story of Frankenstein

1994Movie7.7
The Critic
6.6

The Critic

1963Movie6.6
In the Beginning: The Caesar Years

In the Beginning: The Caesar Years

2012Movie
John Candy: Comic Spirit
6.0

John Candy: Comic Spirit

2005Movie6.0
The Great Dictator: The Clown Turns Prophet
6.0

The Great Dictator: The Clown Turns Prophet

2011Movie6.0
Excavating the 2000 Year Old Man

Excavating the 2000 Year Old Man

2012Movie
Mel Brooks Strikes Back!
6.5

Mel Brooks Strikes Back!

2012Movie6.5
It's Always About the Story: Conversations with Alan Ladd, Jr.
5.5

It's Always About the Story: Conversations with Alan Ladd, Jr.

2016Movie5.5
Frank Sinatra: The Voice of the Century
7.7

Frank Sinatra: The Voice of the Century

1998Movie7.7
The Making of 'The Producers'
7.9

The Making of 'The Producers'

2002Movie7.9
Life Stinks: Does Life Really Stink?
5.3

Life Stinks: Does Life Really Stink?

2003Movie5.3
Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again
7.9

Mel Brooks and Dick Cavett Together Again

2011Movie7.9
The 2000 Year Old Man
6.5

The 2000 Year Old Man

1975Movie6.5
Funny Men in Tights: Three Generations of Comedy

Funny Men in Tights: Three Generations of Comedy

Movie
Ruby's Studio: the Feelings Show

Ruby's Studio: the Feelings Show

2010Movie
The Dick Cavett Show with Mel Brooks

The Dick Cavett Show with Mel Brooks

2006Movie

TV Shows (49)

The Simpsons
8.0

The Simpsons

1989Series8.0
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.5

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962Series7.5
Real Time with Bill Maher
6.1

Real Time with Bill Maher

2003Series6.1
Frasier
7.7

Frasier

1993Series7.7
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
5.3

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003Series5.3
Mad About You
6.8

Mad About You

1992Series6.8
The Mike Douglas Show
5.8

The Mike Douglas Show

1961Series5.8
Curb Your Enthusiasm
8.1

Curb Your Enthusiasm

2000Series8.1
Golden Globe Awards
7.0

Golden Globe Awards

1944Series7.0
Only Murders in the Building
8.4

Only Murders in the Building

2021Series8.4
Great Performances
6.1

Great Performances

1971Series6.1
Tony Awards

Tony Awards

1956Series
Ciné regards
5.0

Ciné regards

1978Series5.0
Film '72
5.1

Film '72

1971Series5.1
Wogan
5.3

Wogan

1982Series5.3
The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
7.4

The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius

2002Series7.4
The Dick Cavett Show
6.8

The Dick Cavett Show

1968Series6.8
Champs-Elysées
6.8

Champs-Elysées

1982Series6.8
An Audience with...
5.3

An Audience with...

1978Series5.3
To Tell the Truth
5.8

To Tell the Truth

2016Series5.8
The Oscars
7.0

The Oscars

1953Series7.0
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
6.8

Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In

1968Series6.8
The Electric Company
7.3

The Electric Company

1971Series7.3
RTL Samstag Nacht
7.9

RTL Samstag Nacht

1993Series7.9
Live & Kicking
6.0

Live & Kicking

1993Series6.0
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
7.1

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

2012Series7.1
History of the World: Part II
5.7

History of the World: Part II

2023Series5.7
Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks
6.3

Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks

2003Series6.3
The Hollywood Palace
5.0

The Hollywood Palace

1964Series5.0
Glenn Martin, DDS
6.7

Glenn Martin, DDS

2009Series6.7
Noel's House Party
7.4

Noel's House Party

1991Series7.4
The Frank Skinner Show
7.5

The Frank Skinner Show

1995Series7.5
Primetime Glick
7.2

Primetime Glick

2001Series7.2
The David Susskind Show
7.0

The David Susskind Show

1959Series7.0
Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!
7.8

Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!

2026Series7.8
Inside Comedy
6.5

Inside Comedy

2012Series6.5
Legends
5.0

Legends

2006Series5.0
The Wonderful World of Disney
7.9

The Wonderful World of Disney

1954Series7.9
Somebody Feed Phil
7.2

Somebody Feed Phil

2018Series7.2
When Things Were Rotten
7.3

When Things Were Rotten

1975Series7.3
Spaceballs: The Animated Series
4.3

Spaceballs: The Animated Series

2008Series4.3
Please Turn the Page
6.0

Please Turn the Page

1977Series6.0
Saturday Night Clive

Saturday Night Clive

1989Series
Forky Asks a Question

Forky Asks a Question

2019Series
Broadway: The American Musical
8.0

Broadway: The American Musical

2004Series8.0
The Paul Reiser Show
6.0

The Paul Reiser Show

2011Series6.0
The New Steve Allen Show
7.7

The New Steve Allen Show

1961Series7.7
Flick Flack

Flick Flack

1974Series
The Grammys
8.6

The Grammys

1959Series8.6