Mel Brooks is celebrating a career renaissance that has spanned more than five decades.
At a Glance
- The 99-year-old filmmaker is starring in a new HBO documentary and revisiting classic films.
- Recent honors include a Peabody Award and an honorary Oscar in 2026.
- His latest projects bring fresh life to beloved classics like Blazing Saddles.
Why it matters: Fans and film historians alike are witnessing a legendary director thrive in his final decade.
Mel Brooks, a household name since the 1970s, has just released a new chapter of his life. The HBO documentary Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man! premiered in January 2026, and the 99-year-old director describes the moment as a “wonderful fourth or fifth act” of his career. In the film, his son Max calls the renewed interest in his work an “amazing career renaissance.”
Early Success and Signature Style
Brooks first captured the public’s attention with the 1974 releases Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein. The films earned him fame and sparked criticism for pushing boundaries with humor that tackled racism, sexuality, and corruption. He became a member of the EGOT club in 2001, a milestone that underscored his versatility across writing, directing, producing, and singing.
In his 2021 memoir All About Me! My Remarkable Life in Show Business, Brooks wrote, “I’m proud to say I have made people laugh for a living, and … I can honestly say, I’ve done it as well as anybody.” He explains that his comedic approach is rooted in observing life and turning serious commentary into comedy.
Personal Life and Sacrifices
Brooks is a father to four children: Stefanie, Nicholas “Nicky,” Edward “Eddie,” and Max with his late wife Anne Bancroft. The success of Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein altered family dynamics. Nicky recalls, “When Blazing Saddles and Young Frank hit, it transformed my dad… when he went out to L.A. to work on Blazing Saddles, he moved out there.”
The death of Bancroft in 2005 from uterine cancer had a profound effect. Eddie said, “All the light went out. He was not in a good place.” Brooks reflected in his memoir that “Living this life without her is not easy.” He found solace in work, noting that the Broadway adaptation of Young Frankenstein helped him “pull out of [his] abyss of despair.”
Recent Projects and Honors
In 2022, Brooks revisited Blazing Saddles with the animated film Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank, writing the screenplay and voicing Shogun Toshi. The following year, he produced, co-wrote, and narrated History of the World: Part II on Hulu, announcing, “I can’t wait to once more tell the real truth about all the phony baloney stories the world has been conned into believing are History!”
Brooks also reprised his role as Yogurt in the Spaceballs sequel slated for 2027, and in June 2025, he agreed to executive produce the Very Young Frankenstein series.
Awards have continued to roll in. He received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2009, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010, and the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama in 2015. In 2024, he was honored with a Peabody Award for career achievements, and in January 2026, he received an honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement.
Legacy and Current Impact
Brooks’ influence extends beyond film. He voiced characters in Spaceballs: The Animated Series, Hotel Transylvania 2 and 3, and Toy Story 4. In a 2015 interview, he joked, “I see a lot of Dracula’s father in me. My kids will tell you that.”
The 2026 HBO documentary marked a milestone, with Brooks expressing, “I hope that my contribution, cinematically, comically, to the world, will be durable.” His continued work demonstrates that a filmmaker can remain relevant and inspiring well into his ninth decade.
Key Takeaways
- Mel Brooks, now 99, is experiencing a career renaissance with new projects and honors.
- He has revisited classic works, bringing them to new audiences.
- Recent awards highlight his enduring impact on film and comedy.
- His personal sacrifices and resilience underscore the depth of his legacy.
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