Mel Brooks' 4 Kids: All About Max, Nicky, Eddie and Stefanie

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Mel Brooksis a living legend.

The 96-year-old has starred in, written and directed some of thegreatest comediesof all time, includingYoung Frankenstein, Blazing SaddlesandThe Producers— both the movieandthe Broadway musical. So it should come as no surprise that his four kids — Stefanie, Nicky, Eddie and Max — have all followed in his creative footsteps, working in the film industry and other artistic fields.

Brooks, who achievedEGOTstatus in 2001, was married to Broadway dancerFlorence Baumfrom 1953 to 1962. Brooks and Baum had three kids: Stefanie, Nicky and Eddie. He later married Oscar-winning actressAnne Bancroft, another Hollywood legend known for roles like Mrs. Robinson inThe Graduate. They remained together until her death in 2005. Brooks and Bancroft had one son, Max.

“He said, ‘What are you gonna do, Dad, just sit around and wait for the pandemic to be over? Write a memoir!’ " Brooks recalled totheOrange County Register."‘Just tell the stories you told me when I was growing up.’ "

After four kids and nearly six decades in the entertainment industry, Brooks still isn’t slowing down at 96. The sequel to his seminal filmHistory of the World, Part Ipremiered as a Hulu series on March 6, 2023.

Here’s everything to know about Mel Brooks' four children: Stefanie, Nicky, Eddie and Max.

Stefanie Brooks, 69

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Stefanie Brooks was born on Feb. 21, 1956, in New York City. She was the first child born to Brooks and his first wife Florence Baum. In 1978, Brooks toldtheNew Yorkerthat his eldest was taking film courses at New York University.

Nicholas “Nicky” Brooks, 67

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Nicholas “Nicky” Brooks was born on Dec. 13, 1957, in N.Y.C. to Brooks and Baum. He had a role in the 1971 filmWho Says I Can’t Ride a Rainbow!,but he has since focused on writing and producing films. Like his sister Stefanie, Nick studied film at NYU.

Nicky wrote the screenplay for the 2016 movieSam, for which his father was an executive producer (perVariety),and has produced several short films, includingBeautifulandConfession on Pleasant Street.

Edward “Eddie” Brooks, 65

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As an adult, Eddie has stayed behind the scenes. He directed the short filmsThe Green RoomandOf the Woods: Prologue.He and his wife Sarah have a daughter,Samantha Brooks, who is a journalist. Samanthainterviewed her grandfatherin November 2022, and the two touched on everything from dating tips to Brooks' Hulu seriesHistory of the World: Part II.

Maximillian “Max” Brooks, 52

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Maximillian “Max” Michael Brookswas born on May 22, 1972, in N.Y.C. He’s the only child of Brooks and Anne Bancroft. After Max’s birth, Brooks and Bancroft moved to California. Max graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history from Pitzer College and a master’s degree in film from American University, according to theYale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity.

He acted throughout the 1990s, appearing in episodes of shows likeMelrose Place, 7th HeavenandRoseanne.Max was a writer onSaturday Night Livefrom 2001 to 2003, but he hit a new level of success with his novelWorld War Z,which was adapted into a movie starringBrad PittandMireille Enosin 2013. He has written several other novels, comic books and screenplays. In 2010, he spoke at his father’sHollywood Walk of Famestar ceremony.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brooks and Max shared a video about theimportance of social distancing. “Hi, I’m Max Brooks, I’m 47 years old. This is my dad, Mel Brooks, he’s 93,” Max said, standing outside as Brooks stood behind a glass door. “If I get the coronavirus, I’ll probably be okay. But if I give it to him, he could give it to Carl Reiner, who could give it toDick Van Dyke, and before I know it, I’ve wiped out a whole generation of comedic legends. When it comes to coronavirus, I have to think about who I can infect. And so should you.”

Later in the year, Maxappeared in a videowith Brooks to endorseJoe Bidenin the 2020 presidential election.

Max married playwright Michelle Kholos in 2003. They have one son, Henry.

source: people.com