Profile Text
Brooks in 2013, photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: Melvin Kaminsky
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
Date of Birth: June 28, 1926
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
Mel Brooks is an American director, writer, actor, comedian, producer, and composer.
His parents, Kate (Brookman) and Aharon Mordechai/Max Kaminsky, were Jewish immigrants. His father was born in Tilsit/Sovetsk, then in Prussia, now in Russia. His mother was born in Kiev, then in the Russian Empire, now in Ukraine. Mel was married to actress Anne Bancroft , until her death. Mel has three children with his former wife, Florence Baum; and a son, author and screenwriter Max Brooks, with Anne.
Mel’s paternal grandfather was Shlomo Zvi Avraham/Abraham/Avram Kaminsky (the son of Leib/Lebel/Louis Kaminsky and Chana Esther Sereisky). Shlomo was born in Golynka, Russia. Leib was born in Dabrowa, Russia, the son of Moshe Aron Leizerowicz/Kaminsky and Mirke/Martha Becker. Chana was born in Golynka.
Mel’s paternal grandmother was named Basha/Bertha Ruchel/Rachel Silverstein/Silverstone. Basha was born in Grodno, Belarus.
Mel’s maternal grandfather was named Irving Brookman.
Mel’s maternal grandmother was named Minnie Labove or Gertrude.
Sources: http://www.jewish-theatre.com https://www.theatlantic.com
Marriage record of Mel’s parents – https://familysearch.org
Mel’s parents on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org
Genealogy of Mel Brooks (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com