Mel Brooks Turns 100: A Century of Comedy and Laughter
NEW YORK — The 2000 Year Old Man is turning 100. Mel Brooks, the legendary comedian and filmmaker behind classics like “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein,” and “The Producers,” celebrates his centennial birthday on Sunday, June 28, 2026. Born Melvin Kaminsky in Brooklyn, New York, on June 28, 1926, Brooks has spent seven decades making the world laugh — and shows no signs of stopping.
“I was born to make people laugh,” Brooks says in the Judd Apatow documentary “Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!”, which debuted on HBO in January. “So, I do that.”
A Life in Comedy
Brooks’ journey began in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where he grew up in a tight-knit Jewish family. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he performed in the Borscht Belt resorts of the Catskills before being hired by Sid Caesar as a writer for “Your Show of Shows.” There, he met Carl Reiner, beginning one of comedy’s most celebrated friendships.
Together, Brooks and Reiner created the “2000 Year Old Man” sketches — improvised routines where Brooks played an ancient man answering questions about historical events. The act became a series of comedy albums, won a Grammy in 1998, and was added to the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.
Brooks’ film career is defined by genre parodies that doubled as sharp social commentary. “Blazing Saddles” (1974) satirized racism in the American West. “The Producers” (1967) audaciously centered on a musical glorifying Hitler. “Young Frankenstein” (1974) lovingly parodied classic horror films. These films pushed boundaries while achieving mainstream commercial success.
AFI Names ‘Blazing Saddles’ Funniest Film of All Time
To mark Brooks’ centennial, the American Film Institute on Friday named 1974’s “Blazing Saddles” the funniest film of all time, displacing “Some Like It Hot” from the top spot. Brooks had long argued his film was funnier than Billy Wilder’s classic.
“He’s right!” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO, in a statement. “We’re happy to right this wrong as Mel celebrates his centennial. It’s good to be the king, and may he live to be a 2,000 year old man. Happy birthday, Mel!”
EGOT Status and Archive Donation
Brooks is one of fewer than three dozen entertainers to achieve EGOT status — winning at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award. His Tony wins came from the Broadway adaptation of “The Producers,” which won a record 12 Tony Awards in 2001.
In May 2026, Brooks announced he was donating nearly 150,000 documents and over 5,000 photographs to the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York. The archive spans from jokes he kept while serving in World War II to materials from every feature film he directed or produced.
“I’ve always been proud to say that I make people laugh for a living,” Brooks said in a statement. “So, knowing that my work will have a home at comedy’s national archive and continue making people laugh leaves me with a deep sense of pride.”
Laura LaPlaca, head of the National Comedy Center’s archive, noted the significance of the donation: “It is challenging to imagine the American 20th century without the vital voice of Mel Brooks — his work helped us understand one another and endure.”
’Spaceballs: The New One’ on the Way
Even at 100, Brooks remains active. At CinemaCon in April 2026, he announced via video message the title of a long-awaited sequel: “Spaceballs: The New One” (not “Spaceballs: The Search for More Money,” as fans had speculated). Rick Moranis and Bill Pullman appeared on stage, confirming their return. The film is expected in theaters in 2027.
“It’s just like the old one, but it’s newer,” Brooks quipped.
A Legacy of Laughter
Brooks’ influence on American comedy is immeasurable. His irreverent, boundary-pushing humor shaped generations of comedians, from Dave Chappelle to Sarah Silverman. Reflecting on his purpose, Brooks once said: “Comedy is lively. Comedy is joy. And that’s what keeps us going. We have to look forward to little happinesses, little joys.”
When asked in a 2021 interview if he thought much about death, Brooks laughed it off. “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.”
He added simply: “I enjoy living. I’d like to do it as long as I can.”
At 100 years old, Mel Brooks is still making the world laugh — and the world is laughing with him.