Nathan Lane Says 'It's Emotional to Talk About' Mel Brooks as They Reunite at Governors Awards (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Nathan Lane presents Mel Brooks with an Honorary Oscar at the 14th Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 2024.Photo:Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

Tuesday was a night thatNathan Lanewill not soon forget.

The actor and singer, 67, spoke with PEOPLE followingMel Brooks' honoraryOscarpresentation at the 14thGovernors Awards, sharing that “it’s emotional to talk about” the legendaryProducerscreator.

“He’s an icon of comedies. If there’s a Mount Rushmore, he’s on it,” Lane said of Brooks, 97, recalling the experience of starring in the Tony-winning musical adaptation ofThe ProducersonBroadwayand subsequent 2005 film with costarMatthew Broderick. “We grew up on his work, and then to actually have been in a rehearsal room with him … it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Lane had not seen Brooks in a while before the Governors Awards, he told PEOPLE. “So we were backstage together for a while and it was great just to talk to him, and I love him so much,” he said. “It’s been a beautiful evening.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Prior to Brooks' acceptance speech, Lane and Brodericktook to the stageto present the Oscar statuette, breaking into songs like “The King of Broadway” before a crowd that included honorary Oscar winnerAngela Bassett,Robert Downey Jr.,Bradley CooperandMargot Robbie.

“Matthew flew 10 and a half hours to be here,” Lane told PEOPLE. “He’s [been]in London, rehearsingPlaza Suite. He flew in, [and] just got back on a plane to go back to London.”

“And I came all the way from the Four Seasons. Traffic was murder,” he joked.

Lane said he and Broderick, 61, were only able to rehearse a couple of times ahead of the show given the tight turnaround due to Broderick’s travel schedule, “so it was nerve-wracking to try and get it right.”

“But I kept thinking, ‘This is all about Mel. We’re just doing this for Mel,’ " he added. “And, look, to be able to stand there and handMel Brooks his honorary Oscaris something I’ll never forget.”

Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick present Mel Brooks with an Honorary Oscar during the Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 2024.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

He then swore he’d never sell his second Oscar, jokingly telling the crowd he had sold his first. (In 1968, Brooks won Best Original Screenplay forThe Producers.) “I miss it so much,” Brooks cracked. “I never should have sold it.”

TheYoung Frankensteindirector recalled how it “meant a lot” to be awarded after growing up as the youngest of four boys in a big family.

“Finally they got to see me. It’s the same thing in show business,” Brooks said. “If your fellow writers, directors, actors like you and appreciate your work, it means a lot. It means a whole lot.”

Mel Brooks accepts an Honorary Oscar at the 14th Governors Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 9, 2024.Kevin Winter/Getty

On June 26, 2023, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed that Brooks — along with Bassett, 65, and film editor Carol Littleton —would receive the awardfor their contributions to the industry at a ceremony that was originally scheduled for Nov. 18.

He added, “A long time ago I was given a choice: I had an offer to be working as an apprentice accountant or as a coffee runner in show business. I’m still glad I chose the coffee.”

Brooks isone of 23 individuals to achieve an EGOT: anEmmy,Grammy, Oscar and Tony. He earned two more Oscar nods in 1975 for Best Adapted Screenplay forYoung Frankensteinand Best Original Song forBlazing Saddles.

source: people.com