Mel Brooks
Birth Name:
Melvin James Brooks
Birth Place:
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Profession
Actor, Writer, Producer, Soundtrack, 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
- Is the inspiration for the character Buddy Sorrell on "The Dick Van Dyke Show․"
- Was taught by Buddy Rich how to play the drums as a kid
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