Original: 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.
Simplified: 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.