
Melvin James Kaminsky (28 June 1926-), known professionally as Mel Brooks, was an American actor, comedian, filmmaker, songwriter, and playwright. Born in Brooklyn, New York City to Ukrainian- and German-Jewish immigrant parents, he served in the US Army during World War II, clearing mines during the Battle of the Bulge and the invasion of Germany. After the war, he became a comedy writer and co-created the hit television comedy series Get Smart in 1965 before producing a series of comedy films, including The Producers in 1967, Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein in 1974, Silent Movie in 1976, History of the World, Part I in 1981, Spaceballs in 1987, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights in 1993.
Brooks endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden at the 2020 presidential election in his first-ever public endorsement of a political candidate.