Comedy legend Mel Brooks celebrates his 100th birthday on June 28, 2026, marking a century of laughter that spans from Sid Caesar's television room to Hollywood's greatest satirical films. Born Melvin James Kaminsky in Brooklyn on June 28, 1926, Brooks served in World War II before launching one of the most celebrated careers in American entertainment — writing, directing, and producing classics like The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and Spaceballs.
One of only a handful of entertainers ever to hold an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), Brooks shows no sign of slowing down at 100. Earlier this year, filmmaker Judd Apatow released a celebratory retrospective documentary titled "Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!", and Brooks is set to reprise his beloved role as Yogurt in the long-awaited Spaceballs sequel due in 2027. This past May he donated thousands of personal documents and photographs to the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, cementing his legacy for generations to come.
When asked about his secret to longevity, Brooks keeps it characteristically simple: "I enjoy living. I'd like to do it as long as I can." On his life's purpose he is equally direct: "I was born to make people laugh. So, I do that." At 100, the world's most celebrated satirical filmmaker is still doing exactly that.