Mel Brooks
Birth Place: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Olivier Awards 2026- Complete List of Winners (Apr 12, 2026)
The Legacy Theatre Unveils Cast and Crew of NUNSENSE (Apr 7, 2026)
Glenn Close Will Be Honored with Hand & Footprint Ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre (Apr 2, 2026)
BIO
After serving in World War II, Mel Brooks began performing as a drummer and pianist in Borscht Belt resorts in the Catskill Mountains before working as a stand-up comic and tummler at Grossinger’s. In 1949, he was hired by Sid Caesar to write for The Admiral Broadway Revue. In 1950, he joined the writing staff of Your Show of Shows, where he worked alongside Carl Reiner and Neil Simon until the show ended in 1954. He continued with Caesar on Caesar's Hour (1954–1957). In 1960, Brooks and Carl Reiner released the comedy album 2000 Years with Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks, which sold over one million copies, followed by additional albums in 1961 and 1962 and later revivals.
Brooks co-wrote the Broadway musical All American (1962) and conceived the Academy Award–winning animated short The Critic (1963). With Buck Henry, he co-created the television series Get Smart, which aired from 1965 to 1970 and won multiple Emmy Awards. He made his feature directorial debut with The Producers (1968), winning the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. He followed with The Twelve Chairs (1970).
In 1974, Brooks directed and co-wrote Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, both commercial successes. He directed Silent Movie (1976) and High Anxiety (1977). In 1980, he produced The Elephant Man and directed History of the World, Part I. He directed Spaceballs (1987), Life Stinks (1991), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), and Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995).
In 2001, Brooks adapted The Producers into a Broadway musical, winning three Tony Awards. A film version of the stage adaptation, The Producers, was released in 2005. He created the Broadway musical adaptation of Young Frankenstein, which opened in 2007. Brooks voiced characters in Robots (2005), Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015), and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018). In 2023, he wrote and produced the Hulu series History of the World, Part II. In 2025, he announced development of Spaceballs 2, targeted for release in 2027.
Brooks has received an Academy Award (1968), multiple Emmy Awards (including 1967 and 1997–1999), Grammy Awards (1999, 2002), and Tony Awards (2001). He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2009 and the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2013.
Photos
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 09: (L-R) Billy Crystal and Mel Brooks attend the 2024 Peabody Awards at Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel on June 09, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images for Peabody Awards)
From: Photos: Inside The 84th Annual Peabody Awards With Mel Brooks, Billy Crystal & More
STAGE CREDITS
Productions
Writing
Bookwriter
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist
Awards and Nominations
Mel Brooks, Young Frankenstein
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Mel Brooks, The Producers
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Mel Brooks, The Producers
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Mel Brooks , The Producers
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Mel Brooks, The Producers
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Mel Brooks, The Producers
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Mel Brooks, The Producers
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Mel Brooks, The Producers
Videos
Video: Dove Cameron Stars in First Trailer for New Thriller Series 56 DAYS
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-01-21 11:07:39
Video: THE LAND OF SOMETIMES Trailer Unveils Star-Studded Animated Musical
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-01-14 10:33:04
Video: Watch the Trailer for New HBO Two-Part Mel Brooks Documentary
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-01-08 12:15:42
Video: Michael Crawford Talks Being Honored By the Kennedy Center
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-12-23 19:53:21
Video: Mel Brooks’ YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN THE MUSICAL Opens At Hope Mill Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-10-29 21:31:07
Video: Josh Gad Praises Leslie Odom, Jr.’s Aaron Burr Performance in HAMILTON
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-09-11 10:40:21
Video: Sam Harris Sings 'You Could Drive A Person Crazy' From COMPANY at 54 Below
by Stephi Wild - 2024-12-04 09:18:47
Video: Broderick and Lane Honor Mel Brooks With THE PRODUCERS Medley
by Stephi Wild - 2024-01-10 07:55:54
Photos/Video: Tony-Winner Susan Stroman Receives 2023 Louis Auchincloss Prize
by A.A. Cristi - 2023-12-14 23:21:21
Video: Full Cast and Creative Team Announced for NEW YORK, NEW YORK; Plus Watch a New Trailer!
by Nicole Rosky - 2023-02-01 12:00:20
Exclusive: Watch Andrea Martin In a Musical Clip From HELPSTERS on Apple TV+
by Michael Major - 2023-01-05 10:20:18
VIDEO: Sutton Foster Talks Auditioning and THE MUSIC MAN on THE TONIGHT SHOW
by Blair Ingenthron - 2022-10-08 09:24:02
Video: Go on a Backstage Tour of YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at La Mirada Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2022-10-06 17:46:46
Exclusive Video: First Look At Sally Struthers, A.J. Holmes & More in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at La Mirada Theatre
by Alan Henry - 2022-09-22 15:29:04
VIDEO: Netflix Debuts the Trailer for Nick Kroll's Netflix Stand-up Special Debut
by Michael Major - 2022-09-15 13:41:12
Exclusive Photos & Video: Go Inside Rehearsals for YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at La Mirada Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2022-09-14 17:31:32
VIDEO: Sutton Foster Reveals Her 'Dream Role Goals' on COLBERT
by Michael Major - 2022-04-07 15:45:06
News
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 12, 2026
London theatre's biggest night returned for its 2026 ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall, where Nick Mohammed hosted the Olivier Awards. Check out a full list of winners here.
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 7, 2026
The Legacy Theatre announced the cast and crew for NUNSENSE, running April 23 through May 17 in Branford, CT, featuring Semina De Laurentis reprising her original off-Broadway role as Sister Mary Amnesia.
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 2, 2026
Award-winning performer Glenn Close will be honored with a Hand & Footprint Ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on Friday, May 1, 2026, as part of the 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival.
by Team BWW - Apr 2, 2026
Dallas is never lacking outstanding theatre, whether epic Broadway shows, engrossing dramas or bold fringe offerings. BroadwayWorld is rounding up our top recommended theatre every month. Check out our top picks for Spring 2026 in Dallas!
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 1, 2026
This April, there are plenty of new titles for theater buffs to watch, including the film version of Merrily We Roll Along, the Michael Jackson biopic, Anne Hathaway's turn as a pop diva in Mother Mary, and more.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 31, 2026
Netflix and the American Film Institute (AFI) will premiere the televised special, The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute To Eddie Murphy, on the streamer on May 31, 2026.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 26, 2026
All new photos have been released from the gala performance of The Producers at the Garrick Theatre on Wednesday 25 March. Richard Kind is taking over the role of Max Bialystock for seven weeks only. Check out photos here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2026
Mānoa Valley Theatre (MVT) has revealed its 2026–2027 season, a lineup of productions that blends Broadway hits, comedies, drama, and local storytelling.
by Michael Major - Mar 25, 2026
A first look at Richard Kind in the major West End revival of The Producers at the Garrick Theatre has been revealed. Kind will star in the role of Max Bialystock for seven weeks only. See photos of him reprising his Broadway role now!
by Rosanne DellAversano - Mar 21, 2026
A monster of a musical hits The Candlelight Theatre stage.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 18, 2026
Theater For The New City will present CORNED BEEF (AND OTHER ARGUMENTS), a new comedy exploring the American Dream through the eyes of two immigrants in the 1890s.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 10, 2026
Proctors Collaborative revealed its 2026-27 season during the festive annual Season Announcement Bash, launching a landmark year as the organization celebrates the 100th anniversary season of Proctors.
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 6, 2026
Actress and performer Kimiko Glenn, who originated the role of Dawn in Waitress on Broadway, has announced her debut EP, Modern Dance, under her musical project, KIMIKO. Check out her latest track now.
by Stephi Wild - Mar 5, 2026
The nominations are in for the 2026 Olivier Awards. The nominees included Paddington the Musical, Into The Woods, Oh, Mary!, Into The Woods, Evita, and more. Check out the full list here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 2, 2026
The Firehouse Theatre will continue the 2026 “Raise Your Voice” Season with Mel Brooks' wildly entertaining musical comedy The Producers. The Producers is a fast-paced romp through the absurd side of show business.
by Chloe Yang - Feb 27, 2026
MAC to School 2025, MAC's 10th annual educational symposium, took place 9/27–28 in NYC. The two-day event featured master classes, panels, and showcases. MAC's 40th Annual Awards follow at Symphony Space on March 23, 2026.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 24, 2026
A home release has been set for The Land of Sometimes, the new animated feature with a star-studded cast and new songs from EGOT-winning songwriter Sir Tim Rice.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 11, 2026
Richard Kind will star as Max Bialystock opposite Marc Antolin’s Leo Bloom in the critically acclaimed, major West End revival of The Producers for seven weeks only at the Garrick Theatre.
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 7, 2026
It's time to meet Broadway's best on The Muppet Show tonight! With the new special now streaming, we have rounded up some of the best of Broadway talent during the show's original run.
by Aidan O'Connor - Feb 7, 2026
What did our critic think of DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS AT CONSTELLATION THEATRE COMPANY at Atlas Performing Arts Center?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Mel Brooks has appeared on Broadway in 2 shows.
Mel Brooks has not appeared in the West End.
Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Young Frankenstein, Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Producers, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The Producers, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Producers, Best Musical (Tony Awards) for The Producers and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Producers.
Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Book of a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for The Producers, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for The Producers, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for The Producers, Best Book of a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Producers, Best Musical (Tony Awards) for The Producers, and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for The Producers.
Mel Brooks has written 4 shows including Shinbone Alley (Bookwriter), All American (Bookwriter), The Producers (Source Material), Young Frankenstein (Bookwriter).
Videos