Mel Brooks Cuts Robocall for Grand-Nephew Running for New York State Senate
— If you live on Long Island and your phone rings, answer it — it might be Mel Brooks.
The legendary comedian recorded a robocall for his great-nephew, Todd Kaminsky, who is running for State Senate in New York’s 9th District, on the South Shore of Long Island. Kaminsky is a Democrat running for re-election; he won the seat in a special election in April to replace Republican Dean Skelos, who was removed from office following his conviction on federal corruption charges.
The charming clip was uploaded Wednesday to the Soundcloud streaming service.
“I’m very proud of Todd. Not only is he a great nephew — but he also happens to be a great state senator,” Brooks says in the recording. “He’s not only smart and talented, but he is absolutely honest — which is pretty rare for people in my family. Now the election is this Tuesday, so write this down. Mel Brooks says: ‘Vote for Todd Kaminsky on Nov. 8th!’ Did you write it down? Good!”
Presented my Uncle @MelBrooks w/ Senate proc 4 his cultural achievements as great NYer. Thx 4 everything, Uncle Mel. pic.twitter.com/Ct0iEEBptv
— Todd Kaminsky (@toddkaminsky) September 2, 2016
As it happens, Brooks isn’t the only Jewish comedian helping a relative get elected. As Gothamist noted, Amy Schumer also made a recording for her cousin — Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York — for an ad on the streaming music service Pandora.
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning journalism this Passover.
In this age of misinformation, our work is needed like never before. We report on the news that matters most to American Jews, driven by truth, not ideology.
At a time when newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall. That means for the first time in our 126-year history, Forward journalism is free to everyone, everywhere. With an ongoing war, rising antisemitism, and a flood of disinformation that may affect the upcoming election, we believe that free and open access to Jewish journalism is imperative.
Readers like you make it all possible. Right now, we’re in the middle of our Passover Pledge Drive and we still need 300 people to step up and make a gift to sustain our trustworthy, independent journalism.
Make a gift of any size and become a Forward member today. You’ll support our mission to tell the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
Only 300 more gifts needed by April 30
