Mel Brooks Through The Years: Photos Of The Comedy Legend On His 96th Birthday

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June 28, 2023 11:40AM EDT

Mel Brooks is a legend, with a career spanning over 7 decades. Check out his best photos here.

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Mel Brooks: Through The Years

Mel Brooks: Through The Years — Mel Brooks, born Jun. 28, 1926, is an American actor, comedian and filmmaker with a career spanning over 7 decades that took him from the stage to the big screen, TV, and beyond. He cut his teeth as a writer on the variety show ‘Your Show Of Shows’, where he worked with the likes of Woody Allen, Neil Simon, and Carl Reiner. Next was the hit ‘Get Smart’ 1965–1970).

Mel turned to directing in the 70s, creating comic blockbusters like ‘The Producers’ (1967), ‘The Twelve Chairs’ (1970), ‘Blazing Saddles’ (1974), ‘Young Frankenstein’ (1974), ‘Silent Movie’ (1976), ‘High Anxiety’ (1977), ‘History of the World, Part I’ (1981), ‘Spaceballs’ (1987), and ‘Robin Hood: Men in Tights’ (1993).

He is among the rare entertainers that can boast having an Emmy, a Grammy, and an Oscar. He also received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2009, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2010, the 41st AFI Life Achievement Award in June 2013, and a National Medal of Arts in September 2016.

Mel was married to actress Anne Bancroft from 1964 until her death in 2005. Their son Max Brooks is an actor and author, known for his novel ‘World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War’ (2006).

Want to learn more about Mel Brooks, his family, and his career? Look no further than our gallery here.

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‘High Anxiety’

‘High Anxiety’ — Mel Brooks looks terrified in his movie ‘High Anxiety’, which filmed in San Francisco, Calif. Mel directed, co-wrote, and starred in the movie.

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Mel Brooks In 1977

Mel Brooks In 1977 — Mel Brooks smiles backstage during a production of ‘Golda’ in New York in 1977. He’s a huge supporter of all the arts.

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Mel Brooks In 1983

Mel Brooks In 1983 — Mel Brooks is the man of honor during the ‘An Audience with Mel Brooks’ TV special in 1983. He wore a slick suit and was ready to entertain.

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‘Spaceballs’

‘Spaceballs’ — Out of this world! George Wyner, Rick Moranis, and Mel Brooks (left to right) team up for the 1987 sci-fi parody ‘Spaceballs’. He directed the movie, which remains a classic to this day.

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‘Life Stinks’

‘Life Stinks’ — Dirty business. Mel Brooks looks down in the dumps in a scene from ‘Life Stinks’.

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Mel Brooks At Opening Night Of ‘The Producers’

Mel Brooks At Opening Night Of ‘The Producers’ — Mel Brooks looks proud as he attends the opening night of ‘The Producers’ at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater in May of 2003. The musical adaptation of his 1967 film earned him the Tony.

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‘The Producers’

‘The Producers’ — garnered generally mixed reviews from critics and was a commercial failure, earning $38 million worldwide from a $45 million budget (left to right) pose together during the making of the 2005 film version of ‘The Producers’. The movie garnered generally mixed reviews from critics and was a commercial failure, earning $38 million worldwide from a $45 million budget.

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Mel Brooks In 2007

Mel Brooks In 2007 — Mel Brooks appears on stage at the St, James theatre in New York in 2007. He was clearly the star of the show.

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Mel Brooks Gets A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Mel Brooks Gets A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame — What an honor! Mel Brooks is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame on Apr. 23, 2010.

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Mel Brooks In 2013

Mel Brooks In 2013 — Mel Brooks appears at the premiere of his documentary ‘American Masters – Mel Brooks: Make a Noise’ on May 9, 2013. He wore a cream jacket and black ensemble and looked so sharp.

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Mel Brooks In 2017

Mel Brooks In 2017 — Mel Brooks is happy to see everyone at he attends the 18th annual private pre-BAFTAs dinner, hosted by Charles Finch at the upscale London establishment Annabel’s on Feb. 11, 2017. He wore a nicely tailored suit and red pocket scarf.

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Mel Brooks At Press Night For ‘Young Frankenstein’

Mel Brooks At Press Night For ‘Young Frankenstein’ — Mel Brooks appears during the curtain call for ‘Young Frankenstein’s London press night on Oct. 10, 2017. The musical first opened on Broadway on November 8, 2007, and was revised and reprised a decade later in London’s West End.

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Mel Brooks In 2018

Mel Brooks In 2018 — Mel Brooks greets everyone ahead of a screening of ‘The Producers’ at the opening night 2018 TCM Classic Film Festival on Apr. 26, 2018. He wore sunglasses on the bright spring afternoon.

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Mel Brooks In 2019

Mel Brooks In 2019 — Mel Brooks enjoys a stroll out and about in Los Angeles on Apr. 26, 2019. He wore a blue sweater, baseball hat, and chinos for the trip.

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