The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has announced that legendary actor and filmmaker Mel Brooks is set to be honoured with the BAFTA Fellowship at the EE British Academy Film Awards this Sunday, February 12th.
Brooks, who began his career in the 1940s, is one of only twelve people to have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award, and his C.V. includes the likes of The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, Spaceballs and Robin Hood: Men in Tights.
“I am not overwhelmed, but I am definitely whelmed by this singular honor,” said Brooks. “To be included among such iconic talents is absolutely humbling. In choosing me for the 2017 Fellowship I think that BAFTA has made a strangely surprising yet ultimately wise decision.”
“Mel Brooks is a truly unique and multi-talented filmmaker,” added Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of BAFTA. “We are absolutely thrilled to award him the Fellowship, the highest honour of the evening, at this year’s EE British Academy Film Awards.”
Previous recipients of the BAFTA Fellowship include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Sean Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Christopher Lee, Martin Scorsese, Alan Parker, Helen Mirren, Mike Leigh and Sidney Poitier.
