HBO Premieres Mel Brooks Documentary First Part

A new two-part documentary on HBO, "Mel Brooks The 99 Year Old Man!," premiered its first installment Thursday night, offering an intimate retrospective on the life and enduring legacy of the comedy icon as he approaches his 100th birthday in June. Directed by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio, the nearly four-hour film traces Brooks' journey from a tough upbringing in Brooklyn to his groundbreaking contributions to American humor, blending fresh interviews, archival footage and testimonials from fellow entertainers.

Born Melvin Kaminsky in 1926 to Jewish immigrant parents, Brooks was the youngest of four brothers raised by a widowed mother after his father died of tuberculosis at age 34. Growing up in a working-class neighborhood, he drew inspiration from silent film stars like Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, as well as the anarchic style of the Marx Brothers. As a child, Brooks was known for his constant performances, once joking that he mistook the doctor's slap at birth for applause. His early talents led him to drumming lessons under Buddy Rich before World War II interrupted his path.

Drafted into the Army, Brooks served in Europe, witnessing intense combat that left...