The 25 funniest, weirdest, zaniest characters from Mel Brooks movies

Throughout Mel Brooks' illustrious career as a writer and director, he had no trouble making parodies of prominent fictional figures, historical times, and various entertaining periods. Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) might not be one of Brooks' standout movies, but it generated plenty of laughs. Meanwhile, underrated for his comedic talent, Cary Elwes makes the perfect Robin for this particular version of the famed story. Always subtle but highly impactful when taking a comedy lead, Elwes shines bright among some other strong performances.

In 1974, two of Brooks' most popular and time-honored classics were released. The second is Young Frankenstein, a parody of those old black-and-white horror films, specifically Mary Shelley's legendary Frankenstein. Peter Boyle portrays "The Monster," who comes to life thanks to Dr. Frankenstein's grandson. In classic satire fashion, "The Monster" manages to awaken, break out of jail, find love, presumably have sex, enjoy a cigarette, and gain a fair amount of knowledge and sophistication to lead a quality life. Not a bad day all around.

From 1991, this is one Brooks film that is not a parody. Brooks stars as a ruthless business tycoon who cares little about the common man and only himself. However, when he makes a bet with a business rival to acquire land filled with unhoused people, Goddard Bolt must spend time living in that area to win the bet. It proves to be a learning experience for Bolt, who perhaps is not as self-centered and narcissistic as we think. An underrated Brooks performance that isn't talked about much.

It can be argued that Spaceballs, from 1987, introduced a new, younger generation of movie fans to Brooks' work: A science-fiction spoof, and perhaps more specifically, the Stars Wars trilogy. One of the movie's most memorable characters is a direct parody of Jabba the Hutt. Pizza The Hutt is an intergalactic crime lord made of pizza and voiced by the great Dom DeLuise. He doesn't seem very appetizing, with cheese and green peppers dripping all over the place. Still, it's one of the ideal parodies in Brooks' arsenal of characters.

The hilarious History of the World, Part I (1981) features period segments, including the Stone Age, the Roman Empire, the Spanish Inquisition, and the French Revolution. On this list, at least in our eyes and funny bones, the funniest characters can be found within the days of the Roman Empire. Dom DeLuise's Emperor Nero is first up — housed, of course, at Caesars Palace (in what appears to be the Las Vegas version). He's a rather lazy slob. Like any true emperor, he likes to scratch himself, pass gas, and stuff his face.

In a satire of the silent-era movies, Brooks again struck gold with this 1976 comedy that was nominated for a Golden Globe. Also nominated for a Golden Globe was a fellow stage and screen legend and Brooks' film staple, Bernadette Peters. She stars as Vilma Kaplan (the first such award for the famed actress), a voluptuous nightclub star hired to disrupt the production of a movie being made by Mel Funn (Brooks). Vilma certainly has charm and can be extremely seductive, especially on stage and when peeled out of a banana. 

It's likely a movie like Blazing Saddles, Brooks' other breakout moment in 1974, could not be made today. That said, when it comes to straight-up, rip-roaring comedy, this movie has it all, including our first character on this list, played by the exceptional Gene Wilder. An alcoholic gunslinger, Jim, aka "The Waco Kid," might be the fastest gun in the West. So quick that he shot the gun out of the hands of eight men saddled on horses. Of course, a six-year-old kid also shot him in the behind.

Sticking with Silent Movie, we offer a twofer of comic genius. Two legendary funny men, Dom DeLuise (Bell) and Marty Feldman (Eggs) deliver a 1-2 punch of high-octane, comedic performances. They're the sidekicks of Mel Funn (Brooks), a down-on-his-luck, formerly great film director trying to resurrect the silent movie genre — at least for one picture. Bell and Eggs, who sports a bomber-pilot helmet, live up to the sidekick stereotype. Whether showing off their slapstick or physical comedy, Bell and Eggs keep the laughs coming and tend to overshadow Brooks. Feldman was nominated for a Golden Globe for his effort.

The Producers (1967) was Brooks' directorial debut, winning him the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Brooks' rather controversial but iconic tale is about a producer and his accountant, who put on what they hope is the worst musical of all time as a scam to make some serious money. Hippie criminal Lorenzo St. DuBois (Dıck Shawn) earns the lead role of the deranged Hitler. He's so good and funny, even with that soul/jive drawl, that the audiences eat it up. 

Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein might shine the brightest on Brooks' directorial legacy, but High Anxiety (1977) remains an underrated gem that spoofs the classic Hitchcock pictures, even though it was well received. Harvey Korman's Montague is brilliant as the arrogant and scheming doctor at the Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous, where he's in on a plan to take money from the rich while claiming they need psychiatric help. Montague is sketchy and looks like the part of a dastardly villain with his thin, well-kept mustache and pompous bow tie. There are plenty of noteworthy performances within the confines of the movie, but Korman's certainly stands out.

Another perfect Star Wars parody, specifically Chewbacca. Barf is the companion of space-traveling mercenary Lone Starr (Bill Pullman). Brilliantly played by the late, great John Candy, Barf is labeled a "Mawg" — part man and part dog. Thus, he's his "own best friend." True to form, as he was in just about every one of his roles, Candy has a lot of fun with the character and makes him the viewer's best friend in one of the legendary comedian's beloved yet underrated roles in the massively popular Brooks' film.

Brooks plays multiple characters in History of the World, Part I, but Comicus stands above all. A stand-up philosopher, Comicus has a date to play Caesars Palace, but a series of mishaps and hijinks muddle the situation. Ultimately, Comicus finds himself in the middle of the Last Supper, doubling as a waiter, where he inadvertently outs Judas and uses Jesus' name in vain. When we delve into all the legendary scenes from Mel Brooks' movies, this must be among the best. It exemplifies his comic genius as a writer, director, and actor.

When the multi-talented Gregory Hines played comedy, he usually stood out and stole his fair share of scenes. In the Roman Empire segment of History of the World, Part I, Hines' Josephus is an enslaved person with a quick wit and a knack for the soft shoe. Our introduction to Josephus is the caliber of the stand-up act — perfect timing, impeccable reactionary delivery, and side-splittingly funny.

The queen of the double entendre, the beautiful, seductively dressed lab assistant Inga is as underrated as she is memorable. Exceptionally played by Teri Garr, Inga has some of the best lines in the movie and manages to do it all with a straight face. While she seems seemingly ditzy, Inga has her scientific moments of genius. Like being aware that if "The Monster" is re-engineered and brought to life, he would have an "enormous Schwanzstucker." Amid all the legendary characters and performances within Young Frankenstein, Inga can more than hold her own.

The star power of Young Frankenstein keeps coming. Cloris Leachman delivers another entertaining performance as the cold and stern housekeeper of Dr. Frankenstein's estate. She's so intimidating that horses go into a serious tizzy at the mere mention of her name. It's learned that Frau Blücher had a relationship with Dr. Frankenstein, and apparently, she doesn't seem ready to give up the estate to his grandson. Thus, going to the extreme of letting "The Monster" lose from the grounds causes an instant panic. It's simply Leachman at her stoic best.

The truth is, Mongo (Alex Karras) is more than just the famed character who punched a horse. That is still one of the most talked about scenes when bringing up Blazing Saddles — or any Brooks movie, for that matter. The buff Mongo is not very bright, but he's perhaps the most feared henchman in all of the West. Surprisingly, Mongo can be sensitive and will respect those able to rival his toughness. He's even been known to get philosophical at times. After all, "Mongo, only pawn in game of life." The man in a nutshell.

Interestingly, this is Brooks' first role in one of his own films where he has spoken lines. (There was no vocal dialogue in Silent Movie.) It's one of Brooks' most well-known roles as a prominent psychiatric doctor who suffers from a disorder that's a combination of acrophobia and vertigo termed "High Anxiety." As noted, the movie is an homage to Alfred Hitchcock, and Brooks delivers an over-the-top performance while trying to figure out what is wrong with him. It's even enough to drive Thorndyke to take part in a memorable musical number.

If there were ever to be an Igor-looking Igor, it would be this version of the character. Hunchbacked (which he apparently is not aware of) with bulging eyes and a subtly keen ability to ingratiate the audience with a sly look or goofy smile, Igor (hilariously portrayed by funny man Marty Feldman) is a servant (whose grandfather worked for Dr. Frankenstein) at the Frankenstein estate. He prefers to be referred to as "Eye-gor." He's also responsible for another legendary scene in the film when he tells Dr. Frankenstein's grandson to "walk this way" while leading the way to the estate. 

It's safe to say that the aforementioned Harvey Korman is at his Hollywood best when playing a villain in Mel Brooks movies. If we thought Dr. Charles Montague was a piece of work, his Hedley Lamarr from Blazing Saddles is pure gold. As the greedy, nefarious territorial general, Lamarr thinks he's a bigger deal than reality attests. And he doesn't think through his plans for deception and financial domination. Hedley often embarrasses himself in the process. He likes to take baths with his froggy and is weaker than usual when in the presence of a beautiful woman. 

Just how great is Dark Helmet as the perfect parody of Darth Vader? Well, Lord Vader was a towering, menacing figure. In the Spaceballs universe of Mel Brooks, Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) wears some oversized headgear that often weighs him down. He's also far from intimidating as a leader. Instead, Dark acts more like a bratty child when things go wrong and is far from respected or feared. If Brooks was looking for a mainstream resurgence in the late 1980s, he got it with Spaceballs. Moranis' popular character was a major reason why.

Yet another special performance from Gene Wilder in a Brooks film. Wilder earned an Oscar for his sensational role as Leopold "Leo" Bloom, the thin-skinned, delicate accountant in on the scam. Bloom is often driven to hysterics while trying to do his job. The potential of the fraudulent scam going horribly wrong only adds to Leo's severe agitation. Though, it seems he's most perturbed by a glass of water thrown in his face. For those unaware of Wilder's screen brilliance, this is a good place to begin your studies.

It can certainly be argued that Lili Von Shtupp just might be the career-defining role for the wonderful Madeline Kahn, which is saying a lot. She was the only member of the star-studded cast of Blazing Saddles to be nominated for an Academy Award. Lili is the German seductress-for-hire, who is also one talented entertainer. But she's "tired." Yet, she finds herself into the local sheriff, the same man she is paid to take down. It's understandable why she received such acclaim for the role and how it remains one of the great female comedic performances of all time. 

While there are plenty of inappropriate moments within Blazing Saddles, especially the depiction of Black people, Cleavon Little's Bart delivers the film's standout performance. Perceived to be slow and unintelligent, this railroad worker-turned-appointed sheriff of Rock Ridge (intentionally by Hedley Lamarr) is wiser, more cunning, and smarter than anyone gives him credit. There are plenty of true characters who can be found in Blazing Saddles, but the most positive and inspiring of the bench is Sheriff Bart. 

The great Zero Mostel, a multiple Tony Award winner, was one of the most versatile actors and entertainers of all time. Perhaps that's why audiences had so much fun watching his take on the role of this greedy and corrupt Broadway producer. Oh yeah, he also made it look so easy. Max Bialystock has an almost cartoon-like persona. He'll tool around in that burgundy robe, terribly combed-over hairstyle, and of course, agitating the hell out of partner-in-crime Leo Bloom. Other prominent actors have successfully played the role in various stage and screen versions, like Nathan Lane and Richard Kind, but Mostel's performance should still be considered the gold standard.

The star of the show and perhaps the defining role of Gene Wilder's legacy. Wilder co-wrote Young Frankenstein with Brooks and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. When it comes to selecting the greatest Brooks character, it wasn't an easy choice, but Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (or pronounced Frankensteen), the aforementioned grandson of the famed mad scientist, is just as goofy as the rest of the cast and doesn't always seem like he should be the most intelligent body of the bunch. His deadpan comedy, and high-strung nature, masked by a wannabe suave demeanor, all add to one classic comedic role.