Comedy legend Mel Brooks turns 100

It's often easier in retrospect to see how an artist has paved the way for others. Nowadays, making fun of anything and everything is commonplace and even Nazi parodies are a dime a dozen.

But it hasn't always been that way, as a look at the work of director and actor Mel Brooks shows.

Born 100 years ago on June 28, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York, the entertainer was clearly a pioneer of satire.

The taboo-breaker

Though they may have become more common than in the decades following World War II, taking a humorous look at the Nazis may not be everybody's cup of tea, especially not in Germany. Some jokes about Hitler aren't funny at all — that's at least what some people think, and that's also what some of them probably thought when watching Brooks' breakthrough film, "The Producers," back in 1968.

In spite of some criticism, Brooks' work, which he wrote and directed, was crowned with success. The US filmmaker with Jewish roots had thoroughly learned his trade on the stage and in television before he turned to film, setting a tone that was all his own.

Some observers have noted the difference between the humor of Brooks and that of Woody Allen, with Brooks' jokes seen as less intellectual and sophisticated, more ribald and even brute.

A much-acclaimed comedian

In the 1970s and '80s, Brooks conquered a worldwide audience with his very own brand of humor. He has also been active in several branches of pop culture, theater, cinema and television throughout his life.

In 2001, he gave proof of his remarkable talent for musicals when a musical version of his debut film, "The Producers," hit Broadway, earning him no less than 12 Tonys, making it the most acclaimed Broadway musical ever.

Brooks is one of very few entertainment artists that have received the highest US awards in four major cultural spheres. He's won one Oscar, for "The Producers," and several Tonys, Emmys and Grammys, making him a so-called EGOT winner. In 2024, Brooks received an Honorary Oscar for his lifetime achievement.

Brooks was married to US actress Anne Bancroft, until her death in 2005. She was also an icon of film history, starring as Mrs. Robinson in "The Graduate" opposite Dustin Hoffman in 1967.

Keeping up with the times

Despite getting older, Brooks has continued to be actively involved in showbiz, appearing on television and lending his voice to the protagonists of animated films.

In keeping with his age, Brooks has started taking things a bit easier. But that doesn't mean the comedian is ready to retire.

A stage version of his film "Young Frankenstein" was produced at London's West End in 2017; the comedy special "Mel Brooks: Unwrapped" aired on HBO in 2019; and "The Mel Brooks Songbook" — featuring 23 songs from his films and shows — was released in 2021.

Brooks' most recent project is a sequel to the 1987 sci-fi parody "Spaceballs," scheduled to hit theaters in April 2027. Fans can look forward to reuniting with Lord Dark Helmet, Princess Vespa and many other characters in "Spaceballs: The New One." Several members of the original cast are in the film, including Brooks himself, reprising his iconic role as Yogurt.

The cheerful comedian is also seen in the HBO documentary "Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man!" Released in January 2026, this two-part doc offered an intimate and entertaining look at the life, career and legacy of the master satirist ahead of his 100th birthday.

This article was originally written in German and is an updated version of a previously published profile.