Albert Brooks

Albert Brooks (born Albert Lawrence Einstein; July 22, 1947) is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director renowned for his satirical exploration of middle-class anxieties and relationships in film.

Born in Beverly Hills, California, to vaudeville performer Harry Einstein (known onstage as Parkyakarkus) and actress Thelma Leeds, Brooks adopted his stage name early in his career to distance himself from his father's legacy. He began as a stand-up comedian in the late 1960s, appearing on over 100 television variety and talk shows between 1968 and 1972, and releasing influential comedy albums like Comedy Minus One (1973) and A Star Is Bought (1975) that showcased his deadpan, improvisational style.

Albert Brooks was born Albert Lawrence Einstein on July 22, 1947, in Beverly Hills, California. He was raised in a Jewish family with deep roots in the entertainment industry, as his grandparents were Russian and Austrian Jewish immigrants.

His father, Harry Einstein (born Harry Parke), was a prominent radio comedian known professionally as Parkyakarkus, famous for his Greek dialect routines on shows like The Eddie Cantor Show. His mother, Thelma Leeds (née Goodman), was an actress who appeared in films such as The Last Gangster (1937) and on radio programs.

Brooks had several siblings, including his older brother Bob Einstein (1942–2019), a comedian and writer best known for creating the character Super Dave Osborne; half-brother Charles Einstein (1926–2007), a journalist and novelist; and brother Clifford Einstein, an advertising executive.