Mel Brooks, who was born on June 28, 1926 with the name of Melvin James Kaminsky, is a prolific screenwriter, director, comedian, actor, producer, and composer who deals famously with parodies and farces. Born and raised in Brooklyn of Jewish immigrant parents, his father died of kidney disease when Mel was two years old. He spent a year at Brooklyn College majoring in psychology but was drafted shortly thereafter and was in the 78th Infantry Division during World War II. He was a pioneer of television, and some of his better-known movies include “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein,” and “The Producers.”
Recommended Resources
Set up by and for Mel Brooks fans, this website contains news about Mel, a profile of his life and long career, and lists of his films, television shows and appearances, and stage shows.
http://www.brookslyn.com/
The Internet Movie Database offers the biography and trivia about Mr. Brooks, a list of movies he wrote, produced, or acted in along with synopses of each, and photographs of him during various times in his career.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000316/
Features the movies of Mel Brooks, along with film clips, stills, sounds, storylines, and credits. Movies include “The Producers,” “Young Frankenstein,” “History of the World,” and, of course, “Blazing Saddles.”
http://www.ladyofthecake.com/mel/nfmain.htm
Maintained by a fan this website pays homage to both Mel Brooks and his late wife Anne Bancroft. Here you will find a large section of photographs, biographies of both and awards won, as well as interviews and archives of media coverage.
http://ysos.sammigirl.com/
