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Veteran actor and director Mel Brooks has written his first memoir, described as "a captivating tale of Hollywood and beyond", for Century.
Ben Brusey, publishing director of Century, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, for for All About Me!: My Remarkable Life in Show Business from Ballantine Books executive editor Pamela Cannon. Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House US, had secured world rights from Jonny Geller at Curtis Brown.
The first ever memoir to be written by the 95-year-old director, producer, writer and actor, it will be published by Century on 30th November alongside Ballantine Books.
“All About Me! is the long-awaited memoir from one of the greatest influences ever known to American and global comedy,” Century said. “Recognised throughout his career as a completely original and multifaceted talent, Mel Brooks has, and continues to, set the standard for making audiences laugh." The memoir will cover his childhood in Brooklyn, his service in the Second World War, his films such as "The Producers" as well as his experience of bringing it to Broadway.
Brooks said: “It was joyous and at times bittersweet writing this book and reliving the peaks and valleys of my incredible journey from Brooklyn to Hollywood to Broadway. I hope fans of comedy will get a kick out of the stories behind my work, and really enjoy taking this remarkable ride with me.”
Brusey said: “Mel Brooks is one of the all-time greats of comedy, film and theatre. His long-awaited memoir All About Me! is every bit as hilarious, poignant and masterful as his stunning career. I haven’t read a memoir before where I could so clearly hear the author’s inimitable voice-and laugh-in my head. This will be a must-have read and gift for all fans of comedy this autumn.”
Brooks is an "EGOT"—one of the few entertainers in an elite group to earn an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. His career began in television writing and he won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for his first feature film “The Producers”.
Many hit comedy films followed including “Blazing Saddles”, “Young Frankenstein” and “Robin Hood: Men in Tights”. His film company, Brooksfilms Limited, produced films too and in 2009 he was named a Kennedy Center honoree for his contributions to American culture. In 2013 he was the 41st recipient of the AFI's Life Achievement Award and in 2016 was awarded the National Medal of Arts by Barack Obama.