Trivia

Changed his last name from "Einstein" because there was already an extremely well-known theoretical physicist named Albert Einstein.

Has made six guest appearances on Les Simpson (1989). With one exception, he has played a different character each time, and as of 2018 has the most guest appearances on that show. Each time he has been credited as "A. Brooks.", no relation to James L. Brooks.

Once performed a humorless, five-minute stand up comedy routine on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) that didn't produce a single laugh until the punchline - when he explained to the audience that he had been working as a stand up comic for five years and had run out of material. Johnny Carson swore the hilarity which followed this set-up lasted a full minute.

Brother of Clifford Einstein and Bob Einstein who is best known for his character "Super Dave" Osbourne.

Albert's father, vaudeville/radio/film comedian Harry Einstein (aka Parkyakarkus) died of a heart attack when Albert was 11 in 1958. Parke collapsed next to Milton Berle during a Friar's roast gathering honoring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in Los Angeles.

Turned down the lead in Quand Harry rencontre Sally... (1989) because he thought it was too much like a Woody Allen script. Albert has been described as a West Coast Woody Allen

His mother, singer/actress Thelma Leeds had a brief career before marrying Albert's father and settling down to raise a family. She returned occasionally to appear in son Albert's movies.

Turned down the lead role in Big (1988).

Brooks was romantically linked to singer Linda Ronstadt and actresses Carrie Fisher, Julie Hagerty and Kathryn Harrold before settling down and marrying Kimberly Shlain, an artist.

His paternal grandfather, Chaskel (Charles) Einstein, was an Austrian Jewish immigrant, and his paternal grandmother, Sarah Klayman, was a Russian Jewish immigrant. His maternal grandparents, Joseph Goodman and Katie Leventhal, were also Russian Jewish immigrants.

As of 2021, he has appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar Taxi Driver (1976), Tendres passions (1983) and Broadcast News (1987). Tendres passions (1983) is a winner in the category.

Son of Thelma Leeds and Harry Einstein(comedian known as 'Parkyakarkus').

Turned down the role of Edward Lewis in Pretty Woman (1990).

Brooks attended Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh, but dropped out after one year to focus on comedy.

Attended the same High School as Angelina Jolie, Michael Klesic, Nicolas Cage, Lenny Kravitz, David Schwimmer, Jonathan Silverman, Gina Gershon, Rhonda Fleming, Jackie Cooper, Rob Reiner, Antonio Sabato Jr., Pauly Shore, Michael Tolkin, Betty White, Corbin Bernsen, Elizabeth Daily and Crispin Glover.

A good friend of Debbie Reynolds.

He has appeared in two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Taxi Driver (1976) and Broadcast News (1987).

Brooks has been honored by the American Film Institute with a retrospective of his work at the first U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen Colorado.

Friend of Richard Lewis.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy", by Ronald L. Smith, pg.61-62. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387

Has starred in two movies where the song "Beyond the Sea" has played over the end credits. My First Mister (2001) and Le Monde de Nemo (2003).

Nephew of Zeke Manners

Son of Harry Einstein and Thelma Leeds. He is the father of Jake Brooks and Claire Brooks.