'I am not overwhelmed, but I am definitely whelmed': Blazing Saddles legend Mel Brooks, 90, to receive BAFTA Fellowship at glitzy prizegiving
He is one of Hollywood's most madcap star, finding humour in the sublimely ridiculous.
And Mel Brooks put his famed wit to work as he spoke about receiving the Fellowship at the EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday.
Awarded annually, the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA to a star who's made an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television or games.
Scroll down for video
Hollywood champ: Mel Brooks put his famed wit to work as he spoke about receiving the Fellowship at the EE British Academy Film Awards on SundayMel Brooks put his famed wit to work as he spoke about receiving the Fellowship at the EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday
Fellows previously honoured for their work in film include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren and Mike Leigh. Sidney Poitier was the recipient of the Fellowship last year.
In true rebellious spirit, Mel said: 'I am not overwhelmed, but I am definitely whelmed by this singular honor. 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.'
Amanda Berry OBE, Chief Executive of BAFTA, added: 'Mel Brooks is a truly unique and multi-talented filmmaker. We are absolutely thrilled to award him the Fellowship, the highest honour of the evening, at this year’s EE British Academy Film Awards.'
Mel Brooks’ career as an actor, comedian, filmmaker, composer and songwriter has also seen him join a select group of only 12 people who have bagged an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award.
Winner: Awarded annually, the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed by BAFTA to a star who's made an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film, television or games
Madcap: In true rebellious spirit, Mel said: 'I am not overwhelmed, but I am definitely whelmed by this singular honour'
In 1950, Brooks had his first break in the entertainment industry as a writer for the variety comedy series Your Show of Shows alongside co-writer, Carl Reiner. This led to their successful comedy duo collaboration with cult skit The 2000 Year Old Man, followed by the release of several albums in the 60s and 70s and a Grammy win in 1999 for Best Spoken Comedy Album for The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000.
Brooks first earned BAFTA recognition in 1964 for three minute short The Critic, which shared its Animated Film Award, an honour that was at that time open to works of any length.
Brooks 1974 caper Blazing Saddles, starring Gene Wilder, Cleavon Little and Madeline Kahn, was a huge hit, often making the top comedy film countdowns and won three Academy Awards.
Other notable works Young Frankenstein, Robin Hood: Men in Tights and The Producers.
Legend: Other notable works by Brooks include Young Frankenstein, Robin Hood: Men in Tights and The Producers
Most watched News videos
- Moment Lindsay Hoyle and Alex Salmond scream at each other
- 'I don't take no s***': Bus driver kicks drunk man off bus
- Melissa McCarthy nails screeching Sean Spicer on SNL
- Video shows French police 'assault 22-year-old with truncheon'
- Watch Barack Obama wipe out in kite surfing battle
- Moment heavily-armed gang tries to force their way into home
- Alec Baldwin mocks Trump and his Australia phone call
- Prisoner knocks out fellow inmate in brutal fight behind bars
- Cameraman 'zooms in' on woman's breasts in 'see-through' swimsuit
- Tom Brady reflects on record-breaking fifth Super Bowl win
- ISIS terrorists are left to rot alongside their suicide belts
- Gisele Bundchen cheers on her hubby Tom Brady from the stands
- Barack Obam-AIR! New photos show former president...
- Lonely man who advertised for a new fishing buddy after...
- Britney Spears asks for 'prayers' for niece Maddie, 8,...
- Boy, five, is found dead wearing just his pants and socks...
- It's the Brady bunch! Champion QB poses with entire...
- Bercow BANS Trump from addressing Parliament: Commons...
- Tom Brady ditches his fellow New England Patriots one day...
- Iraqi girl, 10, is 'bitten to death' with medieval...
- Revealed: David Beckham's string of grovelling Instagram...
- 'Now your nightmare begins': Mother of murdered Queens...
- From tanks and phone boxes to classic cars and US...
- How Beckham changed date of charity party at Downing...
- Young couple who lost their baby ‘were told they DESERVED...
- 'We leave them so dogs eat them': ISIS terrorists are...
- 'Thugs are randomly shooting at anyone who passes':...
- It’s a mint chocolate Labrador! Dog owners in Lancashire...
- San Francisco transit janitor who makes more than $250K a...
- Policeman is charged with rape after footage emerges...