"He's a master of an art form that rarely gets the respect it deserves, and it is AFI's honor to shine a bright light on laughter by presenting Mel Brooks the 41st AFI Life Achievement Award," said Sir Howard Stringer, Chair of AFI's Board of Trustees in a statement.

Brooks won an Oscar for his screenplay for the film The Producers and Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score for the musical it inspired. Additional Broadway credits include Young Frankenstein, All American, and Shinbone Alley. Brooks is one of only 14 artists who have won at least one Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.