___Born in Brooklyn, he spent much of his youth haunting Broadway theatres and vaudville houses. He made his first acting appearance in Cliffor Odet's "Golden Boy" in Red Bank, New Jersey, then worked as a drummer and comic in the Catskills (in New York's "Borscht Belt"). He later became active in television during it's "Golden Age," beginning as a writer for a rising young comic named Sid Caesar on a show called "The Admiral Broadway Review." Over the next ten years, he wrote in his inimitatable style for such memorable television programs as "Caesar's Hour" and "Your Show of Shows."

___When Caesar left TV, he teamed with Carl Reiner on "The 2000 Year Old Man" comedy albums which became immediate best-sellers. In 1965, he collaborted with Buck Henry on an idea suggested by Talent Associates and developed a television series that made Don Adams one of the most popular funny men on television. The show, "Get Smart," ran for five years and is still in syndication.

___Mel then wrote and directed "The Critic," a short film which won him an Academy Award. Next he wrote and directed his first feature film, "The Producers," which garnered him an Oscar for his original screenplay. (He also received Oscar nominations for his "Young Frankenstein" screenplay and his title song for "Blazing Saddles.")

___Since this auspicious feature-film debut, Mel has compiled a list of credits virtually unparalleled for creative autonomy. In 1979 Mel formed his own company, Brooksfilms Ltd., to provide opportunities for artists whose work he respected. "The Elephant Man," the company's debut effort, collected 8 Oscar nominations and was named Best Picture by the British Academy.