Mel Brooks
Mel Brooks is a funny writer, director, and actor, he inspired a generation of comedic productions, and is an Oscar winner. I first saw Mel in Spaceballs (1987), a hilarious parody of science fiction films which especially picked on Star Wars (1977). He wrote, directed, produced, and played 2 roles in the film and assembled a talented comedic ensemble including Bill Pullman (in his 2nd feature), Rick Moranis (Little Shop of Horrors, 1986), John Candy (Planes, Trains, & Automobiles, 1987), and Michael Winslow (Police Academy films 1984-1994, check out his voice talents!). Often appearing in his own films, Mel is not be shy to be the butt of a joke or wear rash inducing makeup and walk around on his knees like he did for this film. The script impressed George Lucas (who wrote Star Wars) so much that he had Industrial Light & Magic (the special effects company he started) support making the film and even let an unused clip from Star Wars appear in Spaceballs. Brooks would reference current events, the studio system of making films, his Jewish heritage, and mix in innuendo while parodying the most successful films made to create parody films that are good movies (while also being laugh a minute and filled with sight gags). Lesser quality parody films are not paced, balanced, or as funny as Mel’s are.
Mel was born in Brooklyn, New York, played the drums for money at age 14, and served in the army during World War 2. In his twenties, he worked as a stand-up comic until he got into writing for tv shows including The Admiral Broadway Revue (1949, his first credit), and Your Show of Shows (all 5 seasons, 1950-1954 starring Sid Caesar). Brooks and writing partner Carl Reiner created a comedy routine, the 2000 Year Old Man, which they have performed off and on from 1960-1998, he wrote stage plays, and co-created the tv show Get Smart (1965-1970, 5 seasons starring Don Adams who would later be the voice for Inspector Gadget 1983-1986). It was during this time that Mel also wrote the film The Producers (1967, starring Gene Wilder) which won him an Oscar for best writing. He made a number of comedic parody films including Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), Silent Movie (1976), High Anxiety (1977), History of the World: Part 1 (1981), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), and Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995). As an actor, Mel has appeared in Mad About You (4 episodes, 1996-1999), Curb Your Enthusiasm (4 episodes, 2004), Spaceballs: The Animated Series (15 episodes, 2008-2009), and The Comedians (1 episode, 2015 starring Billy Crystal). Brooks has done a number of voice work including The Simpsons (1995), Robots (2005 with Ewan McGregor), Mr. Peabody & Sherman (2014), and Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015 with Adam Sandler). Most recently, his voice can be heard in the Chinese film The Guardian Brothers (2016), Leap! (2016), and coming soon, Blazing Samurai (2017 with Samuel L. Jackson).
Thank you and Happy Birthday Mel!