About
Mel Brooks, born Melvin Kaminsky in Brooklyn, is an American comedian, filmmaker, and actor. He began as a TV writer, notably for 'Your Show of Shows' with Sid Caesar, and co-created the series 'Get Smart'. He wrote and directed cult parody films such as 'The Producers', 'Blazing Saddles', and 'Young Frankenstein'. He adapted 'The Producers' into a Broadway musical, winning a record number of Tony Awards. Brooks is one of the few artists to have achieved EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). He has received the Kennedy Center Honor and the National Medal of Arts.
* 1926-06-28
Major works
- The Producers (1968)film
- Blazing Saddles (1974)film
- Young Frankenstein (1974)film
- Get Smart (1965)TV series
- The Producers (comédie musicale) (2001)musical
Key milestones
- 1968Wins the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for 'The Producers'.
- 2009Receives the Kennedy Center Honor.
- 2016Receives the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama.
Themes
ParodyJewish humorSatireClassic cinemaBroadway
Sources: arts.gov · kennedy-center.org · afi.com