Biography of Mel Brooks, From Stand-up to Film

A Different Kind of Comedy

There is something about comedies that keeps the audiences coming back for more. Parodies and satires, in particular, seem to be a favorite with the crowds. Among the many directors of this genre, one distinct name stands out among the rest.

Mel Brooks was born Melvin Kaminsky, on June 28, 1926, in Brooklyn, NY. A son of a Russian Jewish family, Mel grew to be known as the grand master of movie satire and one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers. Brooks’ career began in the forties in the military, where he was known to respond to German propaganda broadcasts by doing an Al Jolson imitation of “Toot Toot Tootsie.” After completing his military service, Brooks became a standup comedian in the Catskills, where he changed his name so he would not be confused with the musician Max Kaminsky. Although he got little profit there, Mel Brooks got much personal satisfaction from his performances.  

After years of standup comedy, Brooks decided to move on and try his luck in television. He began his television career as a writer for Sid Caesar’s television variety program “The Admiral Broadway Revue,” which later became “Your Show of Shows,” and then later “Caesar’s Hour.” It was at this time that he received his first major award – a Writing Emmy for “The Sid Caesar, Imogen Coca, Darl Reiner, Howard Morris Special.” Brooks left Caesar in the mid fifties and moved on to produce a few plays, and some TV shows.