HBO Max Unveils Trailer for Mel Brooks Two-Part Documentary
HBO Max is set to premiere a much-anticipated two-part documentary focusing on the legendary Mel Brooks. Titled Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!, the film will debut on January 22 and 23, showcasing the remarkable career of Brooks, who is an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner.
Documentary Overview
Directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio, this documentary offers fresh insights into the life and work of Mel Brooks. It features interviews with the comedic icon himself, along with many of his contemporaries and fans.
Featuring Renowned Comedians and Filmmakers
- Ben Stiller
- Jerry Seinfeld
- Adam Sandler
- Nick Kroll
- Patton Oswalt
- Dave Chappelle
- Conan O’Brien
- Josh Gad
- Jimmy Kimmel
- Amy Schumer
- Sarah Silverman
- Tracey Ullman
- Robert Townsend
- Peter Farrelly
- Jerry and David Zucker
- Barry Levinson
- David Lynch
- Rob Reiner (in memoriam)
- Bill Pullman
- Daphne Zuniga
- Cary Elwes
- Matthew Broderick
- Nathan Lane
- Brooks’ children: Stefanie, Nicolas, Eddie, and Max
- Granddaughter Samantha
Brooks’ Influential Career
Mel Brooks is hailed as a pioneer of modern sketch comedy. His career took off in the Borscht Belt and during the early days of television, where he collaborated with legends like Sid Caesar and Carl Reiner.
He created the iconic character “The 2000 Year Old Man” and won his first Oscar in 1964 for the animated short The Critic. His second Oscar followed in 1968 for the screenplay of The Producers.
Iconic Films and Awards
Brooks’ filmography includes classics such as:
- Blazing Saddles
- Young Frankenstein
- Spaceballs
- Dracula: Dead and Loving It
His musical adaptation of The Producers garnered three Tony Awards and holds the record for the most Tonys won by a Broadway production. The show ran from 2001 to 2006, followed by his other musical, Young Frankenstein, which also enjoyed commercial success.
A Lifetime of Recognition
Brooks has received numerous accolades throughout his career. He was honored with a Kennedy Center Honor in 2009, and in 2013, he was awarded the AFI Life Achievement Award. In 2016, he received The National Medal of Arts from President Obama.
The legacy of Mel Brooks continues to thrive, with ongoing productions like The Producers at London’s Garrick Theatre.
