Mel Brooks (born June 28, 1926) is an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, and songwriter. A recipient of the EGOT, he also won a Kennedy Center Honor (2009), AFI Life Achievement Award (2013), BAFTA Fellowship (2017), and Honorary Academy Award (2024).
He wrote for Your Show of Shows (1950–1954) and co-created Get Smart (1965–1970). His films include The Producers (1967), Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), and Spaceballs (1987). Married to Anne Bancroft (1964–2005), their son Max Brooks wrote World War Z (2006).
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Mel Brooks Net Worth
Mel Brooks has a net worth of $100 million. In June 2000, Mel and Anne Bancroft bought four ocean-view apartments in Santa Monica for $1.7 million, later adding a fifth unit and extensive renovations. The 4,000-square-foot apartment sold in 2013 for $5.5 million.
Their primary home was a 13,000-square-foot estate in Santa Monica, purchased in 1978. They also owned a Malibu beach house, a New York City apartment, and a Hamptons home. Mel still owns a Manhattan penthouse, bought in 1990 for $350,000.
Early Life
Mel Brooks was born Melvin James Kaminsky on June 28, 1926, in Brooklyn, to Kate Brookman and Max Kaminsky. His father, of German Jewish descent, died when Brooks was two. Raised in Williamsburg, he found comedy as a defense against bullying.
At 14, he worked as a tummler in the Borscht Belt, where he met Sid Caesar. Buddy Rich taught him drums, and by 16, he performed comedy. He later changed his name to Mel Brooks and graduated from Eastern District High School (1944).
Career
Mel Brooks created the Broadway adaptation of The Producers in 2001, starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. It won 12 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, breaking the previous Hello, Dolly! record. A 2005 film adaptation followed. In 2007, he adapted Young Frankenstein for Broadway.
He worked on Spaceballs: The Animated Series (2008) and voiced Bigweld in Robots (2005), Albert Einstein in Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014), and Vlad in Hotel Transylvania films. In 2021, he published All About Me! and produced History of the World, Part II.
Personal life
Mel Brooks was married to Florence Baum from 1953 to 1962, and they had three children. In 1964, he married Anne Bancroft, and they had one son, Max Brooks.
Mel and Anne remained together until her death in 2005. Max Brooks became a successful writer, specializing in the zombie genre. He wrote World War Z, which was adapted into a 2013 film starring Brad Pitt.
What movies did Mel Brooks write?
Some of Mel Brooks’ notable written works include ‘Blazing Saddles‘, ‘Young Frankenstein’, ‘History of the World, Part I’, ‘Spaceballs‘, ‘Robin Hood: Men in Tights’, and ‘The Producers‘.
Conclusion
Mel Brooks’ journey from a bullied child in Brooklyn to a Hollywood legend is a testament to his resilience, talent, and enduring influence in the world of comedy and film. His ability to adapt and innovate across various facets of the entertainment industry underlines his status as an iconic figure.
FAQs about Mel Brooks
- Did Mel Brooks retire?
- No, Mel Brooks continues to work on creative projects into his 90s.
- How old is Mel Brooks?
- As of 2025, he is 99 years old.
- What movie did Mel Brooks win an Oscar for?
- He won an Oscar for “The Producers.”
- What movies did Mel Brooks write?
- Notable movies include ‘Blazing Saddles’, ‘Young Frankenstein’, and ‘The Producers’.
- What is Mel Brooks’ net worth?
- Approximately $100 million.
