Martin Scorsese to Present Mel Brooks With AFI Life Achievement Award

In honour of his esteemed career spanning over five decades, previous winner, Martin Scorsese, will present Mel Brooks with the American Film Institute’s 41st Life Achievement Award. The Academy Award-winning director received the prestigious honour in 1997, whilst Brooks is one of only a select few (including the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Marvin Hamlisch, and Barbra Streisand) to win an Emmy, a Tony, a Grammy, and an Oscar.

“For over 50 years, Mel Brooks has given the world its greatest gift – laughter. At the American Film Institute, we also want to shine a proper light on his contributions to the art form as writer, producer, director and actor – and who better to bestow this honor than one of the masters of American film, Martin Scorsese,” said Sir Howard Stringer, chair of the AFI Board of Trustees, in a statement.

The 86-year-old is best known for such biting satire as Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and The Producers. Notable Jews who were previous recipients of the AFI Life Achievement Award include Michael Douglas (2009), Barbra Streisand (2001), Steven Spielberg (1995), and Elizabeth Taylor (1993).

The private ceremony for the Life Achievement Award will be held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on June 6th. However, it will be broadcast on TNT on June 15th, at 9pm ET, and again July 24th at 8 pm ET on TCM.