- Florence Baum became a dancer and the first wife of actor Mel Brooks
- The mother of 3 was said to have had a marriage filled with serial cheating from her ex-husband and it led to divorce in 1962 after 9 years
- She is said to have died in 2008 at the age of 85
Florence Baum made a name for herself as a dancer who appeared in TV series including The Jackie Gleason Show and Places Please. Her career gave her a great place in the world of fame but her marriage to American actor Mel Brooks even added to how renowned she was.
Her husband of 9 years from 1953 to 1962 has featured in several films for more than 7 decades. He is most notable for The Producers, Mad About You, The 2000 Year Old Man in the Year 2000, and Young Frankenstein.
Life Before Fame of Florence Baum
Florence was born in 1926, per reports. While she may have led a private life, dancing led to her featuring in TV series. One of her most notable was in the 1940s.
On the other hand, she was married to Mel who was born Melvin Kaminsky on June 28, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York City.
Her ex-spouse’s parents were Kate (mother) and Max Kaminsky (father). While his mother traced her ancestry to Kyiv, Ukraine, as a Jew; his father was also a Jew with roots in Poland.
At the age of 2, his father died of tuberculosis.
His growing up was far from fame. Rather, he was small and was bullied by his peers. It did not stop him from admiring arts and getting employment as an entertainer at the age of 14.
At the same age, he played the drums for money and became a comedian before graduating from high school at 18 in 1944.
The same year, the actor and former husband of Baum was drafted into the United States Army and took part in the Battle of the Bulge among others until 1946.
Before she was married, her spouse of 9 years, he professionally became a former, a standup comedian, and later a comedy writer for TV.
She Had 3 Children Who are Into Showbiz
It was on November 25 1953 that Florence Baum became Mrs. Brooks through a wedding ceremony.
The marriage produced 3 children – a daughter Stephanie and 2 sons.
Stephanie Brooks is an Actress
Florence and Mel had their first child, a daughter named Stephanie in 1956. When she was 43 in 1999, her 98 years old appeared in the Human Traffic film as Fleur.
The comic music film was directed by Justin Kerrigan with Shaun Parkes and John Simm as actors among others.
The film narrated the story of 5 best friends dealing with their relationships as well as personal demons.
Her Son Nicholas Brooks Has Been in the Entertainment Industry For More Than 4 Decades
Nicholas was born to Baum and her ex Mel on December 13, 1957, in New York. He would follow the path of his father in acting. Knowing there was more within, he also has a career as a director, writer, and producer.
His career is traced to the 1970s. At present the son of the former dancer has appeared in Doctors (20013), and Who Says I Can’t Ride a Rainbow! (1971); has directed Sam (2017), and Producer of Confession on Pleasant Street (2015), Beautiful (2011).
The Son of Florence Baum, Eddie Brooks is an Actor and Editor
Eddie Brooks is an actor with an appearance in Armchair Theatre (1961) when he was 2 years old. At the age of 11 in 1970, he a played the role of Sheldon Hicheiser (Where’s Poppa)
The actor cum producer was born on May 24, 1959, in New York and has a daughter called Samantha.
See Also: Giselle Hennessy – The Life And Death Of Clint Walker’s wife
Florence Baum Reportedly Had a Bad Marriage with Brooks
There are allegations that point out to a book (Funny Man Mel Brooks by Patrick McGilligan) about the life of her ex-husband. According to the story, Baum had quite a bad marriage with her ex who would reportedly give her three one-dollar bills as a daily allowance.
As if that was not enough, he was said to have been involved with other women a number of times while they were still married. Among the women that he was said to have cheated on her with is Eartha Kitt.
In addition, he was said to have been physical with her just before they ended their 9-year marriage.
Her Ex-Husband was Married to an Actress
2 years after the failure of Baum’s marriage to Brooks in 1962, Mel became married to actress Anne Bancroft in 1964.
Before the union, Anne was married to Martin May.
Her marriage to the ex of Florence produced a child, actor Max Brooks in 1972. He in turn had a son Henry Michael Brooks in 2005.
After making a name for herself as an Academy Award-winning actress, she died in 2005 at the age of 73after suffering from Uterine cancer.
Before her death, she appeared in Curb Your Enthusiasm (2004), and The Miracle Worker (1962).
Her Net Worth at the Time of Her Supposed Dead
The net worth of Florence Baum is reportedly over $100,000. She earned her wealth from her career as a Broadway dancer.
She appeared in a number of TV series and although it is not reported exactly how much she earned, it is not out of place that professional dancers make good fortune.
Regardless of her income, it is reported that the former dancer and her first wife of Mel Brooks died at the age of 85 in 2008.
