Mel Brooks Turns 100: A Century of Laughter and Ongoing Creativity

On June 28, 2026, Mel Brooks celebrated his 100th birthday. A new HBO documentary, *Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man!*, premiered, and he announced two upcoming ventures: the *Very Young Frankenstein* series (Stefani Robinson, Taika Waititi) and a *Spaceballs* sequel, *Spaceballs: The New One*, slated for 2027.

Mel Brooks at 100: The Man Who Refused to Stop Making Us Laugh

Born Melvin Kaminsky in Brooklyn on June 28, 1926, Brooks served in the U.S. Army’s 78th Infantry Division and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. After World II he drummed in the Catskills Borscht Belt, then joined Sid Caesar’s *Your Show of Shows* as a writer, where he met Carl Reiner and co-created the “2,000-Year-Old Man” sketches.

The Jerusalem Post

Brooks directed *The Producers* (1967), *Blazing Saddles* (1974), *Young Frankenstein* (1974), *Spaceballs* (1987) and *The Twelve Chairs* (1970). *The Producers* satirized Nazism with “Springtime for Hitler,” sparking controversy; *Blazing Saddles* became the highest-grossing western until 1990 and was later named the funniest film of all time by the American Film Institute, overtaking *Some Like It Hot*. He is one of only 22 EGOT winners.

The Jerusalem Post

President Barack Obama awarded Brooks the National Medal of Arts, praising his “transformative influence on American comedy.” The American Film Institute declared *Blazing Saddles* the funniest film ever made. The National Comedy Center announced Brooks’s donation of thousands of personal documents and photographs. HBO described its documentary as “the definitive portrait of a living legend.” Brooks confirmed the *Spaceballs* sequel and *Very Young Frankenstein* series in recent interviews.

Funnyman Mel Brooks notches up a century of laughs

*The Producers* drew criticism for its Nazi satire; a viewer retorted, “I was in World Two,” arguing the subject was too fresh. Some critics called the premise “tasteless,” while others, including Larry David, hailed it as “possibly the greatest comedic premise ever dreamed up.”

The Guardian

One source claims Brooks produced the 1980 film *The Elephant Man* and removed his name from the credits, yet no other source mentions his involvement, leaving his exact role unclear.

The Guardian

• “I gave up after 60 thinking about it because if I did, I’d be thinking about it all the time. So, I don’t think about it much. When and if it happens, it’s going to be a sad day - for everybody but me. I enjoy living. I’d like to do it as long as I can.” — Mel Brooks, AP interview

The Jerusalem Post

• “I was born to make people laugh,” — Mel Brooks, documentary

Funnyman Mel Brooks notches up a century of laughs

• “Jesus … yes, yes,” Brooks would answer. “Thin lad. Wore sandals. Always walked around with 12 other guys.” — Mel Brooks

Funnyman Mel Brooks notches up a century of laughs

• “What a crazy show this is,” — Mel Brooks, comedian

The Guardian

Beyond the announced *Spaceballs* sequel and *Very Young Frankenstein* series, Brooks plans to mentor emerging comedians and expand his archival donations, ensuring his comedic ethos endures for future generations.

Mel Brooks at 100: The Man Who Refused to Stop Making Us Laugh