Mel Brooks turns 100: Comedy film legend hits milestone as Hollywood pals pay tribute and star receives massive honor
Mel Brooks reached a major milestone as he rung in his 100th birthday on Sunday, June 28 and received celebratory tributes from close Hollywood pals.
The comedy film legend, who is known for movies such as The Producers and Young Frankenstein, began his decades-long career in the 1950s and is one of the very few stars to be an EGOT winner.
Brooks achieved another honor over the weekend as his 1974 satirical Western comedy Blazing Saddles was officially named ‘the funniest film of all time’ by the American Film Institute (AFI), per Deadline.
Actor and singer Josh Gad was just one celebrity who jumped to social media to pen a special message to Brooks.
The pair are also collaborating on the 2027 movie Spaceballs: The New One which is a sequel to Brooks’ 1987 film Spaceballs.
Gad uploaded a series of photos with the award-winning star from recent years, including the pair bringing the forthcoming parody film to life.
Mel Brooks reached a major milestone as he rung in his 100th birthday on Sunday, June 28 and received celebratory tributes from close Hollywood pals; seen in 2024 in Beverly Hills
The comedy film legend, who is known for movies such as The Producers and Young Frankenstein, began his decades-long career in the 1950s and is one of the very few stars to be an EGOT winner
‘For the past five years, I have had the greatest gift in my life… collaborating with and working alongside my comedy idol, @the.official.mel.brooks.’
The Frozen star continued, ‘Today we celebrate 100 years of his life and legacy. He has made us laugh and hurt on the big screen, the small screen, the stage and even on our record players.’
Gad also recognized the filmmaker’s achievements over the decades while adding that at 100, Brooks ‘continues to surprise and thrill us.’
He shared that the comedian ‘is just getting started and something tells me the best is still yet to come.
‘I love you Mel. I cannot wait for the world to see this next chapter. Thank you for for your trust and your partnership. I can’t wait to show the world what we’ve done!!!!’
One snap included in the Instagram carousel showed Brooks and Gad flashing cheerful smiles inside a sound booth.
Another captured the acclaimed star donning a Spaceballs cap while another showed him proudly wearing a Spaceballs sweatshirt.
Brooks could be seen in the midst of a conversation as he stood in the middle of what appeared to be a studio in another image.
Actor and singer Josh Gad was just one celebrity who jumped to social media to pen a special message to Brooks
‘For the past five years, I have had the greatest gift in my life… collaborating with and working alongside my comedy idol, @the.official.mel.brooks,’ he wrote
He shared that the comedian ‘is just getting started and something tells me the best is still yet to come’
One snap included in the Instagram carousel showed Brooks and Gad flashing cheerful smiles inside a sound booth
Another captured the acclaimed star donning a Spaceballs cap while another showed him proudly wearing a Spaceballs sweatshirt
Actor Albert Brooks, who is known for films such as Finding Nemo and Drive, took to X to pen a tribute as well
Gad additionally uploaded more pictures as both he and Brooks bonded while taking part in production for the 2027 movie.
In a separate post, the Beauty And The Beast actor simply typed out: ‘Getting to be with this Legend the week he turns 100 is truly the greatest gift in the world.’
Actor Albert Brooks, who is known for films such as Finding Nemo and Drive, took to X to pen a tribute as well.
‘Mel Brooks is 100 years old today! Many people think that Mel is my father. He isn’t,’ he joked.
‘But what he is is one of the great comic minds of the last 100 years. Happy birthday Mel, from your fake son.’
CEO of AMC Theatres, Adam Aron, also wrote, ‘There is only one Mel Brooks. He was born one hundred years ago today on June 28, 1926.
‘A genius raconteur. A man who has made us laugh hysterically for a full century. He outshines even the brightest lights of comedy. Happy 100th Birthday, Mel Brooks.’
William Shatner tagged Mel Brooks on X while adding birthday-themed emojis. Elon Musk, who also celebrated his 55th birthday on June 28, reposted the tweet to his own account.
CEO of AMC Theatres, Adam Aron, also wrote, ‘There is only one Mel Brooks. He was born one hundred years ago today on June 28, 1926’
William Shatner tagged Mel Brooks on X while adding birthday-themed emojis. Elon Musk, who also celebrated his 55th birthday on June 28, reposted the tweet to his own account
It was also revealed on Sunday that Brooks’ 1974 satirical comedy Blazing Saddles was named ‘the funniest film of all time’ by AFI; Brooks seen with Cleavon Little and Harvey Korman in Blazing Saddles
It was also revealed on Sunday that Brooks’ 1974 satirical comedy Blazing Saddles was named ‘the funniest film of all time’ by AFI.
The star both directed and co-wrote the screenplay to the project at the time, which had cast Gene Wilder, Cleavon Little and Slim Pickens. Brooks also portrayed the role of Governor William J. Le Petomane in the movie.
Blazing Saddles had initially been in 6th place before being moved to the number one spot on the 100 Years… 100 Laughs list, Deadline reported.
Upon its release, the movie raked in around $119 million in the box office on a budget of $2.6 million.
Brooks was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1926 and would later serve during World War II.
His first venture into entertainment was playing the drums at nightclubs. The star stepped into comedy when he began writing for the variety show Your Show Of Shows from 1950 through 1954.
He was also a writer for the movie New Faces (1954) and the show Caesar’s Hour (1954-1957).
Brooks was a writer and co-creator of the series Get Smart (1965-1970). And in 1967, he notably wrote and directed the satirical black comedy The Producers, which was later adapted into a stage musical.
Brooks was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1926 and would later serve during World War II; seen in 1981
His first venture into entertainment was playing the drums at nightclubs. The star stepped into comedy when he began writing for the variety show Your Show Of Shows from 1950 through 1954; seen above in High Anxiety (1977)
Brooks was a writer and co-creator of the series Get Smart (1965-1970). And in 1967, he notably wrote and directed the satirical black comedy The Producers, which was later adapted into a stage musical; Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder seen in The Producers
The Producers marked Brooks’ directorial debut and he won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
He went on to direct other movies such as The Twelve Chairs (1970), Young Frankenstein (1974), Silent Movie (1976), High Anxiety (1977), History Of The World: Part 1 (1981) and Robin Hood: Men In Tights (1993).
Brooks also often appeared in the films he directed.
Other acting credits include To Be Or Not To Be (1983), The Little Rascals (1994), Curb Your Enthusiasm, Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015) and Toy Story 4 (2019).
The comedian has garnered one Oscar win, four Emmys, one Grammy as well as three Tony Awards.
Brooks received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame back in 2010 and was the recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2013.
He went on to direct other movies such as The Twelve Chairs (1970), Young Frankenstein (1974), Silent Movie (1976), High Anxiety (1977), History Of The World: Part 1 (1981) and Robin Hood: Men In Tights (1993); the film Young Frankenstein seen above
Brooks received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame back in 2010 and was the recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2013; seen in January in L.A.
He later tied the knot with actress Anne Bancroft in 1964 and remained married until her death in 2005. They welcomed a son named Max Brooks; Brooks and Bancroft seen in 1983
‘Comedy is hard, and you really have to love it to stick with it,’ he told The Hollywood Reporter. ‘I used to think love was the response I’d get when I’d do something funny.
‘I’d get a big laugh, and it would run through my body and cheer me up. I really felt great about getting laughter from my work.’
Brooks was previously married to Florence Baum from 1953 until their divorce in 1962. The pair welcomed three children.
He later tied the knot with actress Anne Bancroft in 1964 and remained married until her death in 2005. They welcomed a son named Max Brooks.