Mel Brooks started out as a writer in the American live television variety show ‘Admiral Broadway Revue’ in 1949. He continued to write for television series and shows such as ‘ Your Show of Shows’ (1950-1954), ‘Caesar's Hour’ (1954-1957), and ‘Sid Caesar Invites You’ (1958). He made his acting debut in the television series ‘The New Steve Allen Show’ in 1961. He played the role of a 2000-year-old man and appeared in 2 episodes of the series. The following year, he became a part of the American late-night talk show ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.’ He starred in 19 episodes and remained on the show until 1992. In 1967, he wrote and directed the American satirical black comedy film ‘The Producers.’ The film received a sort of mixed response from critics and was a sleeper hit at the box office. Brooks also received the ‘Academy Award’ for ‘Best Original Screenplay’ for the film. He continued to write and direct films like ‘The Twelve Chairs’ (1970), ‘Blazing Saddles’ (1974), ‘Young Frankenstein’ (1974) which earned him an ‘Academy Award’ nomination, ‘Silent Movie’ (1976), ‘High Anxiety’ (1977), ‘History of the World, Part I’ (1981), ‘Spaceballs’ (1987), ‘Life Stinks’ (1991), ‘Robin Hood: Men in Tights’ (1993), and ‘Dracula: Dead and Loving It’ (1995).
In 1999, he starred as ‘Jake Gordon’ in the Italian comedy film ‘Screw Loose’ directed by Ezio Greggio. In 2005, he voiced ‘Bigweld’ in the American computer-animated science fiction adventure comedy film ‘Robots’ directed by Chris Wedge. The film was praised by critics and grossed over $260.7 million on a $75-80 million budget. He continued to appear in voice roles in films like ‘Ruby's Studio: The Feelings Show’ (2010), ‘Mr. Peabody & Sherman’ (2014), and ‘Underdogs’ (2015). In 2015, he joined the voice cast of the American computer-animated monster comedy film ‘Hotel Transylvania 2’ where he voiced ‘Vlad.’ Even though the film received mixed reviews from critics, it became a major commercial success. In 2017, he gave voice to ‘M. Luteau’ (American English dub) in the 3D computer-animated musical adventure comedy film ‘Ballerina’ directed by Éric Summer and Éric Warin. In 2018, he returned to voice ‘Vlad’ in ‘Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation,’ the third installment in the Hotel Transylvania franchise and the sequel to the 2015 film, ‘Hotel Transylvania 2.’ The film was a major commercial success despite opening to mixed reviews. He will next appear in the upcoming computer-animated martial arts comedy film ‘Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank.’
A satirical Western comedy, Blazing Saddles features a criminal who is appointed as the first black sheriff of Rock Ridge in order to anger the residents into abandoning town so that a scheming attorney general can profit from the railroad planned to pass through town. But the sheriff manages to win over the residents and save the town from destruction.
The Muppet Movie is a musical road comedy film, which tells the story of Kermit the Frog, who is told by a talent agent, to try his luck in Hollywood. He soon sets out on a journey to Los Angeles, California, but on the way, he is pursued by an entrepreneur who wants him to be a new spokesperson for his restaurant.
After carelessly wasting their atmospheric air, Planet Spaceball’s crooked President Scroob decides to force neighboring Planet Druidia’s King Roland to share their atmosphere by ordering Dark Helmet to kidnap Roland’s daughter, Princess Vespa, on her wedding day. But space-pilot Lone Starr and his loyal half-man/half-dog ‘Barf’ come to help her. They need super powers of ‘The Schwartz’ to save Druidia.
Starting from the events of the Old Testament to the Spanish Inquisition to the French Revolution, and lastly the future, this film explains the story of mankind in a comical way.
A romantic comedy set in German occupied Poland, To Be or Not to Be looks into the life of a Polish actor. His unsuccessful career and marriage to a woman who entertains young Polish officers sends him into depression. The title is taken from the famous Shakespearean soliloquy by the same name.
Captured during the Crusades, Robin Hood escapes and returns to England, which is now run by Prince John in the absence of King Richard. He leads a rebellion when he learns that John killed his family and snatched his estate, but soon draws the attention of Maid Marian, who is seeking a man to open her chastity belt.
Silent Movie is a comedy film which tells the story of Mel Funn, who used to be a great film director in Hollywood at one point. However, his career declined due to his drinking problem. Along with his sidekicks, he decides to make the first silent movie in forty years, in order to make a comeback.
A series of mysterious events welcome Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke, the newly appointed director of the Psychoneurotic Institute, who suffers from intense acrophobia. He is framed for murder by his colleagues -- including the mustachioed and militaristic Nurse Diesel. He is left with a full blown case of High Anxiety as he struggles to clear his name.
The Twelve Chairs is a comedy film which takes us to 1920s Soviet Russia. It tells the story of Ippolit, a fallen aristocrat, who learns about a treasure of jewels that have been hidden inside twelve dining chairs. He decides to set off to Moscow, accompanied by a con artist named Ostap. However, the priest who had overheard his mother’s confession decides to abandon all his duties, and he sets off to Moscow as well, hoping to have the treasure for himself.
The Little Rascals is an American comedy film, which tells the story of a womanizing man, who is trying to woo a girl he likes. However, his friends attempt to sabotage their relationship.
Goddard Bolt is an affluent and arrogant businessman who makes a bet with his rival that he can survive without money on the rough streets of Los Angeles for thirty days. However, the challenge seems to be much more harder than he had imagined. Soon, things take a turn when he meets a former Broadway dancer who is going through hard times.
Dracula: Dead and Loving it is a comedy horror film, which is a parody of the classic vampire story as well as its popular film adaptations. The story revolves around Count Dracula who moves from his castle to Victorian London with his assistant, and is also hunting for flesh blood. He soon comes across two gorgeous young women.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of mad scientist Victor Frankenstein, inherits their family estate in Transylvania where he accidentally comes across his grandfather's journals and decides to resume his experiment. However, things gradually go out of hand after young Frankenstein unknowingly implants an abnormal brain into a corpse and his fiancée Elizabeth shows up in the estate.
A satirical Western comedy, Blazing Saddles features a criminal who is appointed as the first black sheriff of Rock Ridge in order to anger the residents into abandoning town so that a scheming attorney general can profit from the railroad planned to pass through town. But the sheriff manages to win over the residents and save the town from destruction.
Academy Award-winning satirical film features once-successful Broadway producer Max Bialystock who now has to struggle to raise money for his shows. He teams up with his timid new accountant Leo Bloom, and hatches a plot to earn by producing an assured flop that closes after one show. They gather all necessary ingredients for a flop, starting with the play, ‘Springtime for Hitler.’
After carelessly wasting their atmospheric air, Planet Spaceball’s crooked President Scroob decides to force neighboring Planet Druidia’s King Roland to share their atmosphere by ordering Dark Helmet to kidnap Roland’s daughter, Princess Vespa, on her wedding day. But space-pilot Lone Starr and his loyal half-man/half-dog ‘Barf’ come to help her. They need super powers of ‘The Schwartz’ to save Druidia.
Starting from the events of the Old Testament to the Spanish Inquisition to the French Revolution, and lastly the future, this film explains the story of mankind in a comical way.
Captured during the Crusades, Robin Hood escapes and returns to England, which is now run by Prince John in the absence of King Richard. He leads a rebellion when he learns that John killed his family and snatched his estate, but soon draws the attention of Maid Marian, who is seeking a man to open her chastity belt.
Silent Movie is a comedy film which tells the story of Mel Funn, who used to be a great film director in Hollywood at one point. However, his career declined due to his drinking problem. Along with his sidekicks, he decides to make the first silent movie in forty years, in order to make a comeback.
A series of mysterious events welcome Dr. Richard H. Thorndyke, the newly appointed director of the Psychoneurotic Institute, who suffers from intense acrophobia. He is framed for murder by his colleagues -- including the mustachioed and militaristic Nurse Diesel. He is left with a full blown case of High Anxiety as he struggles to clear his name.
The Twelve Chairs is a comedy film which takes us to 1920s Soviet Russia. It tells the story of Ippolit, a fallen aristocrat, who learns about a treasure of jewels that have been hidden inside twelve dining chairs. He decides to set off to Moscow, accompanied by a con artist named Ostap. However, the priest who had overheard his mother’s confession decides to abandon all his duties, and he sets off to Moscow as well, hoping to have the treasure for himself.
Goddard Bolt is an affluent and arrogant businessman who makes a bet with his rival that he can survive without money on the rough streets of Los Angeles for thirty days. However, the challenge seems to be much more harder than he had imagined. Soon, things take a turn when he meets a former Broadway dancer who is going through hard times.
Dracula: Dead and Loving it is a comedy horror film, which is a parody of the classic vampire story as well as its popular film adaptations. The story revolves around Count Dracula who moves from his castle to Victorian London with his assistant, and is also hunting for flesh blood. He soon comes across two gorgeous young women.
Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of mad scientist Victor Frankenstein, inherits their family estate in Transylvania where he accidentally comes across his grandfather's journals and decides to resume his experiment. However, things gradually go out of hand after young Frankenstein unknowingly implants an abnormal brain into a corpse and his fiancée Elizabeth shows up in the estate.
Academy Award-winning satirical film features once-successful Broadway producer Max Bialystock who now has to struggle to raise money for his shows. He teams up with his timid new accountant Leo Bloom, and hatches a plot to earn by producing an assured flop that closes after one show. They gather all necessary ingredients for a flop, starting with the play, ‘Springtime for Hitler.’
The Producers is a musical comedy drama film, which tells the story of Max Bialystock, a theatre producer, who pairs up with an accountant to raise a huge amount to produce a show that they are sure will flop.
Look Who’s Talking To is a romantic comedy film, which revolves around Mollie and James, who are having a second baby. However, their first-born Mikey, is unhappy with all the attention his new sister is getting, and this leads to a sibling rivalry between them.
The fourth installment in Pixar's Toy Story series, the film begins with Woody being given away to a new owner and his struggle to adjust in the new surroundings and also to a new toy called Forky. The story then goes on to portray his adventures when he and his gang set on a road trip with their owner, meeting his long lost friend Bo Peep on the way.
The Disney adaptation of the Book of Exodus is an animated retelling of the life of Moses. It follows Moses’ journey from an Egyptian prince, to his final destination of leading the Hebrew slaves in Egypt to their freedom, to Mount Sinai, away from his brother Pharaoh Rameses II.
The Academy Award winning animated short film is a satire of avant-garde and esoteric films. Inspired by a real life incidence, the short shows abstract shapes in vibrant shades against color-shifting background as a 70+ years old grumpy man (voice of Mel Brooks), who is unable to decipher the obscure visuals, carries on a relentless commentary.
After being rejected by a potential owner, a talking dog named Mr Peabody, embarks on a life dedicated to science, technology and athletics. Eventually, he also adopts a son named Sherman.
A girl from rural France moves to Paris in the hope of becoming a ballerina and auditions for the esteemed Paris Opera Ballet under the guise of someone else.
The sequel finds Johnny and Mavis married with the blessings of her vampire father Dracula, and raising their child, Dennis, in Transylvania. But when Dennis doesn’t show his vampire side, Dracula enlists the help of his friends to unleash his potential. Things get hilariously complicated when Drac’s human-hating father Vlad shows up.
Rodney Copperbottom is an aspiring inventor in a world full of sentient robots. He idolizes Bigweld, a famous inventor whose Bigweld Industries makes spare parts. Unfortunately, in Bigweld’s absence, the new owner Phineas T. Ratchet has stopped making spare parts in favor of expensive upgrades. Rodney must find a way to contact Bigweld and stop Rachet.
Immortal Count Dracula ‘Drac’ is stressed-out running his hotel to provide everyone else vacation, so his daughter, Mavis, arranges a family voyage on luxury Monster Cruise Ship where all Drac’s family and friends join them and enjoy the fun on-board. When lonely Drac falls for the enigmatic captain of the ship, Erica, a protective Mavis is shocked to discover the dark secret about Erica.
This animated musical film revolves around Archy, a suicidal poet who tries to kill himself but he soon comes back to life as a cockroach. He eventually learns to write poetry again by hopping on typewriter keys.
This comedy thriller film is a parody of the psychological thriller films ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ and ‘Pyscho’. The film revolves around Jo Dee Foster, a rookie FBI agent, who is on his first case, looking for a serial killer who is wanted for over 120 murders. In order to find the killer, Fostar enlists the help of a convicted murderer named Animal Cannibal Pizza.
Mel Brooks Awards
| The Producers | Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen | 1969 |
| Mad About You | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | 1999 |
| Mad About You | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | 1998 |
| Mad About You | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | 1997 |
| The Sid Caesar, Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, Howard Morris Special | Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety | 1967 |
| Great Performances | Best Long Form Music Video | 2002 |
| Winner | Best Spoken Comedy Album | 1999 |
| Winner | Best Musical Show Album | 2002 |
