Mel Brooks was born Melvin James Kaminsky in Brooklyn on June 28, 1926. Yes, that’s 100 years ago today, and what a life he continues to live. Brooks was a combat engineer for the U.S. Navy in World War II and went on to become one of Hollywood’s most influential comic filmmakers, earning an Oscar, Emmys, Grammys and Tonys across a career spanning more than seven decades. “It’s an amazing sound, people laughing at something I created,” Brooks once said. @Independent@flipboard.com has more, including the icon’s role in an upcoming reboot of “Spaceballs.” https://flip.it/l61Jl5 #Entertainment #Comedy #MelBrooks