Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles legend Mel Brooks turns 100 - and reveals his secret to a long life

Key Points:

• Mel Brooks, the iconic comedy filmmaker known for classics like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, celebrated his 100th birthday on June 28, 2026.
• Born Melvin James Kaminsky in Brooklyn in 1926, Brooks served as a combat engineer in World War II before launching a prolific career in television and film, earning numerous awards including an Academy Award and multiple Emmys, Grammys, and Tonys.
• Brooks attributes his longevity to laughter, stating in a recent interview that humor keeps him healthy and happy, and he continues to work creatively, with roles in upcoming projects like the Spaceballs reboot and the animated film The Land of Sometimes.
• His life and career were highlighted in the HBO documentary Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man!, and he recently donated thousands of personal documents to the National Comedy Center to preserve his legacy.
• Known for his humor about mortality, Brooks has expressed a lighthearted approach to death, focusing instead on enjoying life and continuing to make people laugh.