Mel Brooks ( born June 28 , 1926 ) is a Jewish American actor , comedian , writer , film director , and producer . When he was born in Brooklyn , his name was Melvin Kaminsky . Melvin `` Mel '' Kaminsky ( born June 28 , 1926 ) , better known by his stage name Mel Brooks , is an American film director , screenwriter , composer , lyricist , comedian , actor and producer .