Mel Brooks Reveals the Comedic Genius He Calls Unmatched
Mel Brooks opens up about the one performer he believes stands above all others in comedy, praising her extraordinary range and unforgettable talent.
As the years go by, Mel Brooks has never shied away from celebrating his own legacy in the world of comedy. With a career spanning decades and a reputation as one of Hollywood ’s sharpest comedic minds, Brooks has every reason to be proud. He’s spent his life bringing laughter to millions, and he’s done it better than most. If you ask him what the greatest comedy film ever made is, he’ll confidently point to his own classic, Blazing Saddles. That’s not arrogance—it’s just a man who knows his worth and isn’t afraid to say it. Even after winning three Primetime Emmys for his guest role on Mad About You, Brooks felt he didn’t truly earn them, believing his legendary status played a part in his victories. His journey to EGOT status was completed with three Tony Awards in 2001, but he’s always been quick to credit others for their talent.
Given his confidence, you might expect Brooks to name himself as the greatest comedic performer of all time. But that’s not his style. He’s more likely to highlight his skills as a filmmaker than as an actor, even though he holds his performance in Life Stinks in high regard. And while he once called his wife, Anne Bancroft, the best actor who ever lived, he didn’t name her the funniest. Instead, Brooks looked to someone from his own creative circle, a collaborator who starred alongside him in Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, High Anxiety, and History of the World, Part I.
Madeline Kahn: A Rare Talent
Brooks didn’t hesitate when asked about the most gifted comedic performer he’s ever known.
“What an incredibly gifted gift from God, Madeline Kahn,”
he told NPR.
“The funniest and most talented comedienne, I think, including people like Carol Burnett, who are great, you know, and Gilda Radner, who was magnificent. But nobody, listen to me, nobody could approach the magnificence and wonder of Madeline Kahn.”
Kahn’s ability to shine in both comedy and drama set her apart. She earned Academy Award nominations for her roles in Blazing Saddles and Paper Moon, two films that couldn’t be more different. With three Golden Globe nominations and a Tony Award to her name, Kahn was just as skilled at physical comedy as she was at delivering heartfelt performances. Brooks believed no one else could match her versatility.
Beyond Comedy: A True Artist
Brooks saw something in Kahn that went far beyond humor.
“She was really a great gift to us all,”
he said, reflecting on her passing in 1999 at just 57 after a battle with cancer.
“I saw art in her, not just funny. But I saw a person who was gifted with art. She’s the only one who actually could have worked in opera as an opera singer, as a coloratura. She was that talented. Or I think she could have worked as a longshoreman in New Jersey.”
In Brooks’s eyes, there was nothing Kahn couldn’t do. Her range, from high art to everyday grit, made her truly unique in the world of entertainment.
A Lasting Legacy
For Brooks, Kahn remains the gold standard for comedic acting. Her ability to move seamlessly between genres, her magnetic stage presence, and her undeniable talent left an indelible mark on everyone who worked with her.
“I don’t think there’s anything that Madeline Kahn couldn’t do,”
Brooks said, a sentiment that sums up why she’ll always be his pick for the greatest comedic performer of all time.