Mel Brooks – from a vintage crop in 1926

Mel Brooks, actor, filmmaker, comedian, songwriter and playwright, has reached 100 with a lifespan as long as his talents. Winner of an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony, he can look back on a seven decade career with many highs including Blazing Saddles, The Producers, Young Frankenstein and the Elephant Man – and a few lows. He was born 28 June 1926, a month after Marilyn Monroe, three months after Queen Elizabeth 11 and four months after David Attenborough – so it was a no