Mel Brooks' Secret For Living To 100 Is A Guaranteed Smile

Mel Brooks doesn't believe that the secret to longevity lies in complicated routines or expensive therapies. Speaking to People in January 2026, the iconic comedian, who joined the list of every living celebrity who is currently 100 years or older in June 2026, opened up about the secret to his health, saying, "I think laughing keeps you healthy and happy." Now, Brooks wasn't just repurposing the age-old adage, "Laughter is the best medicine." Whether he wanted to or not, he shared a piece of advice that was backed by science. 

In a chat with Mayo Clinic, expert and oncologist Edward T. Creagan, M.D, explained how a good laugh could benefit the body by triggering "a decrease in cortisol and [...] an increase in the endorphins." Thanks to those hormonal changes, the levels of stress, which is a known cause of early mortality, decrease. Dr. Creagan stated that the benefits of laughter went beyond stress relief, explaining, "A hearty laugh may decrease blood pressure, help regulate heart rhythm and just provide an element of joy, that elusive factor in well-being."

Even studies have shown that getting some laughs may actually be beneficial for your health. As part of a 2009 study published in The FASEB Journal, 20 people with diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol were asked to watch 30 minutes of something that they found funny daily. After only two months, the group saw an increase in HDL ("good") cholesterol levels. The health benefits only increased after four months, as they had low levels of inflammatory markers that were associated with high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

During Mel Brooks' 2026 chat with People, he also credited his work with keeping him healthy as he aged, saying, "Making comedy is a great job. It keeps you sane and happy. It gives you a reason to be alive." Although people have subscribed to the notion that you should retire at any early age for the sake of your health, Brooks and scientific studies have hinted that the blanket statement may not be as true as people believe. 

A 2019 study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found that those who worked even one year past their retirement age had an 11% lower risk of suffering all-cause mortality during the study's 18-year period. At 100, Brooks was well past the average retirement age and still a fixture in the public eye. However, work and laughter aren't the only secrets to Brooks' longevity. When the Associated Press asked the iconic comedian if death was on his mind as he aged, he replied that he had stopped losing sleep over the inevitable after he had turned 60. 

"When and if it happens it's going to be a sad day — for everybody but me," Brooks joked, before adding, "I enjoy living. I'd like to do it as long as I can." A 2019 report by the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing found that people who enjoyed life were three times less likely to die during the study's 9-year period than those who did not (via University of Manchester). With all of this in mind, it's safe to say that Brooks has plenty of personality traits that help people live longer.