There are only 14 entertainers who have can be classified as an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) winners and one of them is getting the documentary treatment on American Masters, Mel Brooks. Though the comedian has not shied away from performing on camera he has been reluctant until now to be interviewed for the career profile which will be broadcast in May 2013 on the Emmy Award lauded PBS series.
American Masters Mel Brooks (w.t.) which was made by filmmaker Robert Trachtenberg (Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer) features insights from Mel Brooks, Matthew Broderick (Ladyhawke), Nathan Lane (The Birdcage), Cloris Leachman (The Last Picture Show), Carl Reiner (This Is Spinal Tap), and Joan Rivers (The Swimmer). "When they called me to say I had been chosen as the next 'American Master' I thought they said I was chosen to be the next Dutch Master,” joked Brooks who is the comic force behind Spaceballs (1987), Blazing Saddles (1974), Young Frankenstein (1974), The Producers (1968), Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993), and History of the World: Part I (1981). "So I figured what the hell, at least I'll get a box of cigars. When I realized my mistake I was both elated and a little disappointed at losing the cigars."
The native of Brooklyn, New York will be receiving the 41st AFI Life Achievement Award in June. "There are a few singular voices of genius in film comedy -- Mel Brooks joins the ranks of Chaplin, Keaton and Woody Allen, creating a genre unto himself," explained Susan Lacy, creator and executive producer of American Masters. "This project has been a joy. Mel can make anything funny -- he even had me in stitches during a conference call about distribution contracts. His humor is truly instinctive -- and constant!"
To learn more make sure to visit the official website for American Masters.