Mel Brooks doesn’t believe the secret to longevity lies in complicated routines or expensive treatments. talking to the people In January 2026, the famous comedian joined the roster All living celebrities who are currently 100 or older In June 2026, he opened up about his health secret, saying: “I believe laughter keeps you healthy and happy.” Now, Brooks wasn’t just reusing the old adage, “Laughter is the best medicine.” Whether he wanted to or not, he shared advice backed by science.
In chat with Mayo ClinicExpert and oncologist Edward T. Kerrigan, MD, explains how a good laugh can benefit the body by stimulating “a decrease in cortisol and (…) an increase in endorphins.” Thanks to these hormonal changes, stress levels decrease, which is a known cause of premature death. Dr. Kerrigan stated that the benefits of laughter go beyond just relieving stress, explaining that “a hearty laugh may reduce blood pressure, help regulate the heartbeat and just provide an element of joy, that elusive factor in well-being.”
Even studies have shown this Getting some laughs may actually be good for your health. As part of 2009 He studies Published in the journal FASEB, 20 people with diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol were asked to watch 30 minutes of something they found funny daily. After just two months, the group saw an increase in good cholesterol (HDL) levels. The health benefits did not increase until after four months, when they had lower levels of inflammatory markers linked to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.
Mel Brooks has two more secrets to longevity
During Mel Brooks’ 2026 chat with People, he also credited his work with keeping him healthy as he gets older, saying, “Making comedy is a great job. It keeps you sane and happy. It gives you a reason to survive.” Although people have supported the idea that you should retire at any young age for the sake of your health, Brooks and scientific studies have hinted that the blanket statement may not be as true as people think.
2019 He studies In the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that those who worked even one year beyond retirement age had an 11% lower risk of suffering all-cause mortality during the 18-year study period. At 100 years old, Brooks is well past the average retirement age and remains a fixture in the public eye. However, work and laughter aren’t the only secrets to Brooks’ longevity. when news agency The popular comedian was asked if death was on his mind as he got older, and he replied that he stopped losing sleep over the inevitable after he turned 60.
“When and if that happens, it will be a sad day – for everyone but me,” Brooks joked, before adding: “I’m enjoying life. I’d like to do this for as long as I can.” A 2019 report from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging found that people who enjoyed life were three times less likely to die during the 9-year study period than those who did not (via University of Manchester). With all this in mind, it’s safe to say that Brooks has a lot of it Personality traits that help people live longer.
