The Master of Comedy

Favorite Movie-Maker
Mel Brooks is my most favorite movie-maker ever! He is probably one of the most hilarious and most successful comedy director, writer, producer, and actor ever!

The Comedic
Melvin Kaminsky (later changed to Brooks) was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 28, 1926. He is the son of Kate (Brookman) and Max Kaminsky, both Jewish. His father died when he was 34. He went to school in New York and in 1944 he enlisted in the Army and attended Virginia Military Institute. After the war, he came home and started his show-business career as a stand-up comic. Movie star impressions were his specialty. Shortly afterward he became a comedy writer for Your Show of Shows. Later moving to films, Brooks was a success right off the bat. With the help of Buck Henry, Brooks created the hit TV series Get Smart. His first feature film was The Producers (1968) and, he also won his first Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. At the beginning of the 70's, Brooks directed and acted in The Twelve Chairs (1970), Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974, he didn't act in this one), Silent Movie (1976), and High Anxiety (1977). By the turn of the decade Mel Brooks had become one of the most promising and respected directors of the movie industry. He then went on to direct and star in History of the World, Part 1 (1981), Spaceballs (1987), Life Stinks (1991), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), and Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995).

tag: Mel Brooks, Your Show of Shows, Buck Henry, Get Smart, The Producers, Best Original Screenplay, The Twelve Charis, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, High Anxiety, History of the World, Part 1, Spaceballs, Life Stinks, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, Dracula: Dead and Loving It