This is the Forward’s coverage of Jewish comedian Mel Brooks.
Mel Brooks
The Latest
-
The Schmooze Lewis J. Stadlen: Rekindling a Talented Jewish Character Actor
On October 2, BearManor Media issued a Kindle Edition of 2009’s “Acting Foolish,” an unjustly overlooked memoir by actor Lewis J. Stadlen. Born in Brooklyn in 1947, Stadlen famously appeared on TV’s “The Sopranos” as Dr. Ira Fried, a wittily dour specialist in erectile dysfunction. Yet Stadlen is basically a stage animal, as student of…
-
Books Making a Mess of Comedy
Comedy, explained Aristotle, has a vague history, because at first no one took it seriously. We cannot know for certain if Aristotle was deadpanning, but his observation would amuse Saul Austerlitz. According to Austerlitz, American film comedy has not been taken seriously, either. In fact, the author quips, it is American film’s “bastard stepchild.” With…
-
The Schmooze Mel Brooks Moves to Walk of Fame
Over 30 years after opening our ears to the musical quality of franks-and-beans flatulence, actor and director Mel Brooks will finally receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The 83-year-old “Blazing Saddles” director, will place his hands in cement on April 23. Brooks, who was born Melvin Kaminsky in Brooklyn, won an Oscar…
-
Life The 2000 Year Old Man and the People of the Book
The November 23 release by Shout! Factory of “The 2000 Year Old Man: The Complete History,” a 3-CD and 1-DVD set, exuberantly celebrates Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner’s classic comic shtik. Alongside all the beloved old albums, starting in 1961, and even an animated film, is an interview filmed in August 2009. In the latter,…
-
Film & TV Brooks and Black on Blondes and Bar Mitzvahs
The New York Post’s Page Six features these two celebrity quotes today: “”YES, I have always loved a good blonde, and who wouldn’t?” — Mel Brooks “PART of the bar mitzvah is that you become a man supposedly at 13 years old. And as I was a man, I decided never to go to a…
Most Popular
- 1
Fast Forward Unarmed man who tackled Bondi Beach Hanukkah attacker identified as Ahmed al-Ahmed
- 2
Opinion I grew up believing Australia was the best place to be Jewish. This Hanukkah shooting forces a reckoning I do not want.
- 3
Fast Forward Hanukkah shooting leaves at least 15 dead at Australia’s most popular beach
- 4
Fast Forward Father and son suspects in Bondi Beach Hanukkah attack identified as Sajid and Naveed Akram by law enforcement
In Case You Missed It
-
News ‘We are not alright’: How Oct. 7 defined Eric Adams’ Jewish legacy
-
Fast Forward Judaism’s Conservative movement apologizes for decades of discouraging intermarriage, signals new approach
-
Fast Forward As Australian Jews call for action on antisemitism, prime minister unveils moves to curb hate speech
-
Opinion I’m a 25-year-old semi-Zionist. Here’s what that means this Hanukkah.
-
Shop the Forward Store
100% of profits support our journalism