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Mel Brooks Biography

Birth Name:Melvin James Brooks

Birth Place:Brooklyn, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Writer, Soundtrack, Producer, Director, Music department

Fast Facts

Received the National Medal of Arts in 2016
Received the World War II Victory Medal for his service in the United States Army
Was honored at the Kennedy Center for his contributions to the performing arts in 2009
Was married to actress Anne Bancroft from 1964 until her death in 2005
Worked as a writer for NBC in 1949 for $50 a week
Quote: "Tragedy is when I cut my finger․ Comedy is when you walk into an open sewer and die․"
Frequently references Jewish culture and jokes in his work
Known for making films that parody a genre or famous story
After meeting his future wife Anne Bancroft on a talk show, he paid a woman to inform him of which restaurant Bancroft was eating at so that he could "accidentally" run into her again
Was taught by Buddy Rich how to play the drums as a kid
Is the inspiration for the character Buddy Sorrell on "The Dick Van Dyke Show․"

Awards

1956Primetime Emmy-Best Comedy Writing: nominated
1957Primetime Emmy-Best Comedy Writing - Variety or Situation Comedy: nominated
1958Primetime Emmy-Best Comedy Writing: nominated
1963CINE Golden Eagle-Animation: winner
1966Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy: nominated
1969Oscar-Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen: winner
1969Golden Globe-Best Screenplay: nominated
1969WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Comedy: nominated
1969WGA Award (Screen)-Best Written American Original Screenplay: winner
1971WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: nominated
1975Oscar-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
1975Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted From Other Material: nominated
1975BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay: nominated
1975Hugo-Best Dramatic Presentation: winner
1975WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: winner
1975WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: nominated
1976Golden Scroll-Best Director: winner
1976Nebula Award-Best Dramatic Writing: winner
1977Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1977WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen: nominated
1978Golden Globe-Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1981Stinker Award-Worst Song or Song Performance in a Film or End Credits: nominated
1984Silver Ribbon-Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero): nominated
1987Stinker Award-Worst Picture: winner
1997American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series: winner
1997OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
1999OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
2000American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series: winner
2002Grammy-Best Long Form Music Video: winner
2004Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: nominated
2005Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
2006Gold Derby Film Award-Original Song: nominated
2006Golden Globe-Best Original Song - Motion Picture: nominated
2007Grammy-Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: nominated
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Special: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2016BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: nominated
2022Hollywood Music In Media Awards (HMMA)-Best Original Score - Documentary: nominated
2022HMMA Award-Best Original Song - Documentary Film: nominated
2023OFTA Television Award-Best Narration: winner
2023Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance: nominated
2024Astra TV Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated