What event in Hollywood could be big enough to bring together acclaimed actors and comedians: Billy Crystal, Robert DeNiro, Cloris Leachman, Amy Poehler, Conan O'Brien, Morgan Freeman, Jimmy Kimmel, David Lynch, Sarah Silverman, Woody Allen, Gene Wilder, Carl Reiner, Martin Short and Larry David? Only one man has the talent and clout to invite such a great guest list, 86-year-old filmmaker Mel Brooks.
Brooks took home the American Film Institutes's 41st Lifetime Achievement Award Thursday evening and all the stars in Hollywood gathered to pay tribute, and politely roast, the mind behind "Blazing Saddles," "Young Frankenstein," "The Producers" and many other popular comedies.
Past recipients of the AFI honor presented Brooks with his. Elizabeth Taylor, Kirk Douglas, Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Martin Scorsese presented the Oscar, Tony, Grammy and Emmy winning funnyman with his award as well as a few kind words.
"Mel has made his own tradition of greatness, and it's that tradition - drawing from the past, honoring it, toying with it, vamping on it, extending it to places wise men, very funny men previously feared to go - that's what we're celebrating here and honoring tonight," Scorsese said. "Mel has always made his own way, and he brought us all along for the joyride."
EW reported Brooks was all jokes and smiles during his acceptance speech, even directing a slam at Jimmy Kimmel, who poked fun at Brook's age earlier in the night, by saying "I'm not gonna die."
However, he dropped the comedy briefly to thank the institute for its recognition and to share with them his lifelong love of movies.
"Movies saved my life," he said. "They rescued my soul. No matter what was bad or wrong, it could be wiped out on Saturday morning."
TNT will air highlights from the ceremony as a TV special on June 15.
