Here’s the Mel Brooks Oscars Acceptance Speech You Didn’t See on the Academy Awards Broadcast

During the Oscars event held tonight, the film industry honored the iconic comedian Mel Brooks with an Honorary Oscar, even though Brooks himself was not present. The ceremony commenced at 7 p.m. in Brooklyn, but considering the 97-year-old's age, it's unlikely he stayed awake for the occasion.

Mel Brooks secured his initial Academy Award in 1969, winning in the Best Writing, Story, and Screenplay category for his work on The Producers. Throughout his illustrious career, he received additional nominations, notably for Best Original Song in Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles, as well as for his writing.

However, the acclaimed director had to wait 55 more years before claiming a second Oscar, which he received at the Governors Awards two months prior to the Oscars ceremony.

Indeed, Brooks had already received his trophy a fortnight before the Academy officially unveiled the nominations for tonight's ceremonies. During the presentation, which featured heartfelt introductions by his friends and collaborators Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane, Brooks delivered an inspiring speech. More than fifty years after securing his initial Oscar, the esteemed comedic figure, now approaching the age of one hundred, assured those honoring him, "I won't sell this one, I swear to God!"

"I'm risking COVID for them!" Brooks quipped playfully, stealing kisses from Broderick and Lane, both of whom appeared in his 2005 film adaptation of "The Producers" stage musical. After receiving ample praise from his actors, along with a dash of humor of a more risqué nature, Brooks took the stage, showcasing the timeless wit that 97 years could not erode. Expressing gratitude, he humorously lamented the sale of his original screenplay Oscar for "The Producers," joking about the less-than-ideal times when he parted with it.

In his characteristically humorous style, Brooks ensured that his playful antics did not overshadow the significance of the moment. Addressing a smaller crowd of contemporaries compared to the one at the Oscars ceremony, he emphasized the importance of peer recognition. "When your peers appreciate your work and honor you with this golden statue, it means a great deal. It really does because I was the baby of four boys, and finally, they got to see me and kiss me, and it meant a lot to be awarded a place in the family," he remarked.

He continued, drawing a parallel to show business, stating, "It’s the same thing in show business. If your fellow writers, directors, and actors like you and appreciate your work, it means a lot."

Evidently, Brooks' colleagues chose to acknowledge his contributions in a manner akin to how he and his age group prefer their dinners – early.