(1968), he proved a delight as an inept, dim-witted spy in the Doris Day caper The Glass Bottom Boat (1966).Mel Brooks first cast Dom as the miserly Russian Orthodox priest, Father Fyodor, in his film The Twelve Chairs (1970), and found plenty of room for the comedian after that -- as campy director Buddy Bizarre in Blazing Saddles (1974), the silly-ass director's assistant in Silent Movie (1976), Emperor Nero in History of the World: Part I (1981), the voice of the cheese-oozing Pizza the Hutt in the "Star Wars" parody Spaceballs (1987), and as Sherwood Forest's very own puffy-cheeked Godfather, Don Giovanni, in Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993).A very close friend of action star Burt Reynolds, Dom romped through a number of Reynolds' freewheeling films as well, including Smokey and the Bandit II (1980), The Cannonball Run (1981) and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982). For five years, he sought work in theater or television with little luck. "I was thinking the other day about this. As you get older you think about this more and more, I was dreading this moment. #inline-recirc-item--id-9ec5affc-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { He finally agreed in 1993 when he needed hip replacement surgery and his doctor refused to perform it until he lost 100 pounds. He and Peter also played movie brothers on "21 Jump Street.". I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. Dom DeLuise, the jovial comic who enlivened such madcap films as Cannonball Run, Blazing Saddles, and Spaceballs, has died. Ed Sheeran reveals wife was diagnosed with tumor while pregnant Peter and David, and three grandchildren. One of his finest scene-stealing film roles, in fact, was as Reynolds' schizo pal in The End (1978). The actor, who loved to cook and eat almost as much as he enjoyed acting, also carved out a formidable second career later in life as a chef of fine cuisine. LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Dom DeLuise, the portly actor-comedian whose affable nature made him a popular character actor for decades with movie and TV audiences as well as directors and fellow actors, has died. (1980) (although Dom was arguably the best thing in it), Loose Cannons (1990), in which he appeared as portly pornographer Harry "The Hippo" Gutterman, Driving Me Crazy (1991), which filmed far away in Germany, and The Silence of the Hams (1994), a parody on the horror genre in which he played Dr. . Obesity was also a chronic, real-life problem for the comedian and, at one point in 1999, it was reported that he had tipped the scales at 325 lbs. Dom again repeated his Dominick the Great character on Martin's show and received great reception. This serious role was atypical. He finally decided to enroll at Tufts College and study biology, with the aim of becoming a teacher. Dom DeLuise, the mirthful, moon-faced comic actor who provided frequent comedic support in television variety shows of the 1960s and 70s and in movies starring Mel Brooks and Burt Reynolds, has died. .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { As might be said for the late and great comedians Harvey Korman and Madeline Kahn, it seems that Mel Brooks was the only director on the planet who knew how to best utilize this funnyman's talents on film. Dom DeLuise, the mirthful, moon-faced comic actor who provided frequent comedic support in television variety shows of the 1960s and '70s and in movies starring Mel Brooks and Burt Reynolds, has. May 5, 2009 6:18pm. The visually and verbally funny actor also appeared with Gene Wilder in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother, The Worlds Greatest Lover and Haunted Honeymoon -- as well as in Neil Simons The Cheap Detective and Sextette, starring Mae West. His other acting credits include "Encino Man," "Wayne's World," "Lost," "Gilmore Girls," and "NYPD Blue" among others. Films like Loose Cannons (1990), in which he played the obese pornographer Harry (the Hippo) Gutterman, did him no favors, and he reached a nadir in The Silence of the Hams (1994), a horror spoof, in which he played Dr. }, First published on May 5, 2009 / 12:29 PM. Acting called him back, however, and he found work at the Cleveland Playhouse, appearing in stage productions that ranged from comedies such as "Kiss Me Kate" to Shakespeare's "Hamlet. "I was making $7,000 a week -- a lot of money back then -- but I didn't even know I was rich," he recalled in 1994. His wife of 40 years, actress Carol Arthur, appeared in several movies with him, including "Blazing Saddles" and "Silent Movie," according to DeLuise's Web site. Other DeLuise films include "The End" (1978), "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" (1982) and "Johnny Dangerously" (1984). DeLuise worked closely on several films with pal Gene Wilder, who in 2002 told Larry King that of all of his co-stars, DeLuise "makes me laugh the most.". It was my hardest role to date. "[10], In the 1970s and 1980s, he often co-starred with his real-life friend Burt Reynolds. Burt Reynolds, another fan, teamed up with Mr. DeLuise in several films, including Smokey and the Bandit II (1980), Cannonball Run (1981) and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982). For years he resisted the efforts of family members and doctors who tried to put him on various diets. Mr. DeLuise first made his mark on television in the early 1960s as Dominick the Great, an inept but determined magician trying desperately to maintain his poise as one trick after another failed. He is often identified for his work in the films of Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder, as well as a series of collaborations and appearances with Burt Reynolds. DeLuise was also part of the supporting cast in the Burt Reynolds crash-'em-up vehicles "Smokey and the Bandit II" (1980), "Cannonball Run" (1981) and "Cannonball Run II" (1984). Actor and comedian Dom DeLuise, who developed a reputation as an avid amateur chef along with his prolific entertainment career, has died at age 75. Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me? The part called for me to roll under a bed as soon as the curtain went up and stay there until I was found in the very last scene, he said. A natural school-class clown, his irrepressible sense of humor helped Dom fit in at school, and he started drawing belly laughs fairly young in his very first school play that had him portraying an inert copper penny! "I was making $7,000 a week -- a lot of money back then -- but I didn't even know I was rich," he recalled in 1994. Calls to his agent were not immediately returned. He was also in the off-Broadway play All in Love, which opened on November 10, 1961, at the Martinique Theatre and ran for 141 performances. [5], In 1961, DeLuise played in the off-Broadway musical revue Another Evening with Harry Stoons,[6] which lasted nine previews and one performance. Dom, known for being a natural in the comic industry, died at the age of 75 at the St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica. He was 75.Often working with Burt Reynolds or Mel Brooks, the bearded, roly-poly actor was known for a sharp, distinctive, almost howling laugh that fills the outtakes reel of Cannonball Run — a testament to the joyous time he had with Reynolds. DeLuise died Monday night, son Michael DeLuise told KTLA-TV and radio station KNX on Tuesday. He was 75. "My dad knows everything there is to know about garbage," one of the actor's sons, David DeLuise, told The Associated Press in 2008. Known primarily for his comedic performances, he rose to fame in the 1970s as a frequent guest on television variety shows. The same decade, he launched his film career, including roles in comedies such as The Glass Bottom Boat and Whats So Bad About Feeling Good?. In addition to his wife, DeLuise is survived by their three sons, Peter, Michael and David; his sister, Anne; and three grandchildren. "Dom was first noticed on the smaller screen, creating the sketch character of Dominick the Great, a magician who tries in vain to mask his inept prestidigitations with feigned dignity on Garry Moore's popular show. Appearing in the plays "The Jackass" and "All in Love," he became part of the featured ensemble of the 1961 musical revue "An Evening with Harry Stoones," which included 19-year-old Barbra Streisand. 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He was 75.Often working with Burt Reynolds or Mel Brooks, the bearded, roly-poly actor was known for a sharp, distinctive, almost howling laugh that fills the outtakes reel of Cannonball Run a testament to the joyous time he had with Reynolds. Lotsa Luck, a situation comedy in which he played a bachelor custodian in a New York City bus companys lost-and-found department, ran on NBC from 1973 to 1974. DeLuise died in Southern California on Monday, May 4, 2009, according to his son, Michael DeLuise. And in the early 60s, he was a semi-regular on The Shari Lewis Show, a Saturday morning childrens show on NBC in which he played the bumbling private detective Kenny Ketcham. He followed with a comedy, "The Glass Bottom Boat," starring Doris Day, and from then on he alternated between films and television. Fatso: Directed by Anne Bancroft. The comedian died in his sleep after a long illness. His first acting credit was as a regular performer in the television show The Entertainers in 1964. 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The showbiz star proves to be multi-talented like Dom, working as an actor, director, TV producer, and screenwriter. DeLuise's introduction to acting came at age 8 when he played the title role of Peter Rabbit in a school play. Dom DeLuise, the irrepressibly rotund comedian, has died at the age of 75, his son Michael confirmed to the Web site of the Los Angeles television station KTLA . Before long Mr. DeLuise was appearing in films, usually in broad comedies as a nervous sidekick, a schmo or a preposterous fraud. While his harsher critics believed his schtick would be better served in smaller doses, Dom nevertheless went on to find some range in a few moving, more restrained projects. That decision failed to expunge the idea of being a comedian from his head and heart, however, and that determination finally prevailed.Dom's formative years as an actor were spent apprenticing at the Cleveland Playhouse, where which he gamely played roles in everything from contemporary shows like "Guys and Dolls" and "Stalag 17" to classics like "The School for Scandal" and even "Hamlet." For five years, he sought work in theater or television with little luck. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znsZYcEdlGc, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpNMYntemw4, Marjorie Taylor Greens call for national divorce (basically civil war) gets backing of Foxs Hannity, ANNOUNCING TMV CAPSULE MOVIE AND BOOK REVIEWS. The popular character actor was a mainstay in movies and television for decades. and 1997's "Eat This Too! Dom's catchphrase, with an Italian accent, was "No Applause Please, Save-a to the End". We see that you have javascript disabled. In addition, Dom offered a cameo in Between the Sheets (2003), a film written by Peter, directed, edited and executive-produced by Michael, and featuring roles for the rest of the family.Dom's voiceover skills did not go untapped, either, in films including the animated features The Secret of NIMH (1982), An American Tail (1986) and All Dogs Go to Heaven (1989), plus all of their offshoots. He was the husband of actress Carol Arthur from 1965 until his death in 2009. The heavily-bearded DeLuise even displayed scene-stealing antics on the operatic scene, once playing the speaking part of Frosch the Jailer in Johann Srauss II's operetta "Die ," at the Metropolitan Opera.Suffering from various physical ailments in later years, some of which were exacerbated by his chronic obesity and diabetes, Dom's health declined, and he died in 2009 at age 75. Reynolds fondly recalled DeLuise in a statement issued by his publicist. He gained early notice for his supporting turn in the Doris Day film The Glass Bottom Boat (1966). He also wrote Charlie the Caterpillar, The Pouch Potato and other books for children. "He loves to pick up a broken chair and fix it.". How the creator of Dilbert went from star to "train wreck" Writer-director-actor Mel Brooks particularly admired DeLuise's talent for offbeat comedy and cast him in several of his films, including "The Twelve Chairs," ''Blazing Saddles," ''Silent Movie," ''History of the World Part I" and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." By | Fox News. [citation needed], DeLuise also lent his distinctive voice to various animated films and was a particular staple of Don Bluth's features, playing major roles in The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, A Troll in Central Park and All Dogs Go to Heaven. One lunch began with turkey soup and ended with strawberry shortcake. Dom DeLuise, the portly actor-comedian whose affable nature made him a popular character actor for decades with movie and TV audiences as well as directors and fellow actors, has died, a. The couple's three sons, Peter, Michael and David, all became actors and all appeared with their father in the 1990s TV series "SeaQuestDSV," in which Peter and Michael were regulars. While working in summer stock in Provincetown, Mass., he met a beautiful young actress, Carol Arthur, and they were soon married. With Reynolds, DeLuise appeared in Smokey and the Bandit II, The Cannonball Run, Cannonball Run II, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and The End. In the latter, DeLuise had a field day playing a frenzied schizophrenic. Dom DeLuise, 1933-2009 (AP) Actor Dom DeLuise died last night in a Los Angeles hospital, Jeffrey Lane, an agent for Burt Reynolds confirmed to FOX News Tuesday. ", The actor also appeared frequently in films opposite his friend Burt Reynolds. He was 75. He was born Dominick DeLuise in New York City on Aug. 1, 1933, to Italian immigrants. Dom DeLuise -- comedian, actor, chef -- passed away Monday night at the age of 75. He was 75. Dom DeLuise passed away on May 4, 2009, three months away from what would have been his 76th birthday on August 1. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. As an actor, he was incredibly prolific, appearing in scores of movies and TV shows, in Broadway plays and voicing chracters for numerous cartoon shows. Hollywood icon Dom DeLuise lived a quite fulfilling life making a name for himself on the big screen before his death in 2009. Brooks once remarked that, whenever he cast Dom in one of his films he'd add an extra two days to the shooting schedule because of delays. After making his Broadway debut in 1963 as the cheerfully nervous mountebank Muffin T. Ragamuffin in The Student Gypsy, he appeared as a nervous flier in the cold-war thriller Fail-Safe (1964). "Dom's obvious comic genius was more readily evident, and succeeded better, in tandem with other performers than it was on its own. His appearances on the hit comedy-variety program brought offers from Hollywood, and DeLuise first came to the attention of movie-goers in "Fail Safe," a drama starring Henry Fonda. He was born in 1966 and grew up picking cues from his dad. The 54-year-old is famous for his role as Officer Doug Penhall on "21 Jump Street." DeLuise invoked everything from fussy mannerisms to broad ethnic caricatures to get laughs, but seemed especially happy to make fun of himself, as he did as Pizza the Hutt in Brooks' 1987 film Spaceballs. As an actor, he was incredibly prolific, appearing in scores of movies and TV shows, in Broadway plays and voicing characters for numerous cartoon shows. The couple's three sons, Peter, Michael and David, all became actors and all appeared with their father in the 1990s TV series "SeaQuestDSV," in which Peter and Michael were regulars. [13] He was also a friend and self-proclaimed "look-alike" of famous Cajun chef Paul Prudhomme and author of seven children's books. Other TV credits included appearances on such shows as "The Munsters," 'The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.," 'Burke's Law," 'Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Diagnosis Murder.". Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. On Broadway, DeLuise appeared in Neil Simon's "Last of the Red Hot Lovers" and other plays. He was 75. LOS ANGELES (AP) Carol Arthur DeLuise, an actor who appeared in several Mel Brooks films and was the widow of Dom DeLuise, has died. Other TV credits included appearances on such shows as "The Munsters," "The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.," "Burke's Law," "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Diagnosis Murder.". Memorial services will be private. The comedian died in his sleep after a long illness. He later starred in his own sitcom, Lotsa Luck (19731974). Mr. DeLuises performances, never marked by restraint, stuck at fortissimo as time went on. Dom DeLuise, the portly actor-comedian whose affable nature made him a popular character actor for decades with movie and TV audiences as well as directors and fellow actors, has died, a son told two broadcasters Tuesday. Dom DeLuise, the portly actor-comedian whose affable nature made him a popular character actor for decades with movie and TV audiences as well as directors and fellow actors, has died. Dom always made you feel better when he was around, and there will never be another like him. Years later, the comic streak played an essential part in David's career. DeLuise, who also appeared in some of Martins Celebrity Roast specials, didnt fare as well as the star of his own TV series. Ruth Buzzi, Dom DeLuise, wife Carol DeLuise and son Peter DeLuise on August 24, 1983 at the Hard Rock Cafe | Photo: Getty Images, Michael is the middle child of the Deluise family, who, just like his big brother, honed his TV skills with their famous parents' help. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Dom DeLuise died in Southern California on Monday, according to his son, Michael DeLuise. Ive never gone to work and wanted to do something else.. [citation needed], TV producer Greg Garrison hired DeLuise to appear as a specialty act on The Dean Martin Show. Dom DeLuise, the irrepressibly rotund comedian, has died at the age of 75, his son Michael confirmed to the Web site of the Los Angeles television station KTLA. [citation needed], DeLuise also voiced the legendary character of Charles Dickens' Fagin in the Walt Disney film Oliver & Company and made voice guest appearances on several animated TV series. The two married a year later and shared three sons . LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Dom DeLuise, the portly actor-comedian whose affable nature made him a popular character actor for decades with movie and TV audiences as well as directors and fellow actors . Writer-director-actor Mel Brooks particularly admired DeLuise's talent for offbeat comedy and cast him in several of his films, including "The Twelve Chairs," "Blazing Saddles," "Silent Movie," "History of the World Part I" and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." He told Larry King that it was the "joy of my life" to work with his oldest son, Peter, when he directed the film "Second Nature.". In between, were platters of beef filet, chicken breast and sausage, a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs and a saucer of lettuce. I was allowed to ad-lib a great deal with Dean., In a golfing sketch with Martin and Bing Crosby, DeLuise played their loud, bad-joke-spouting caddie who arrives at a tee in a golf cart topped with a colorful umbrella: Im sorry Im late, he said. You have permission to edit this article. Another actor-friend, Dean Martin, admired his comic abilities so much that he cast DeLuise as a regular on his 1960s comedy-variety show. Appearing in support of others such as Sid Caesar and Mary Tyler Moore, respectively, in the so-so comedies The Busy Body (1967) and What's So Bad About Feeling Good? Dom always made you feel better when he was around and there will never be another like him. 2023 TV GUIDE, A FANDOM COMPANY. The comedian died in his sleep after a long illness. DeLuises wife and three sons were with him when he died. DeLuise was also the voice of Pizza the Hutt in Brooks' "Star Wars" parody, "Spaceballs. ", The actor also appeared frequently in films opposite his friend Burt Reynolds. Dom always made everyone feel better when he was around. For years, he resisted the efforts of family members and doctors who tried to put him on various diets. Please enter valid email address to continue. He was born Dominick DeLuise in New York City on Aug. 1, 1933, to Italian immigrants. "You know, anybody who's an alcoholic or cocaine or something, that's what food was to me.". He finally decided to enroll at Tufts College and study biology, with the aim of becoming a teacher. Dom DeLuise, who spiced up such movies as "Blazing Saddles," "Silent Movie" and "The Cannonball Run" with his manic delivery and roly-poly persona, has died, his son's publicist said. Dominic DeLuise was born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 1, 1933. Other TV credits included appearances on such shows as "The Munsters," ''The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.," ''Burke's Law," ''Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Diagnosis Murder.". DeLuise's introduction to acting came at age 8 when he played the title role of Peter Rabbit in a school play. Gene Wilder cast him as a hammy opera star in The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother (1975) and as the mad studio chief Adolf Zitz in The Worlds Greatest Lover (1977). and 1997's "Eat This Too! "Back in NYC, he took over the lead role of Tinker the toymaker in another children's local program, Tinker's Workshop (1954), for one season in 1958. At his Pacific Palisades home, DeLuise often prepared feasts for family and friends. He authored two cookbooks and would appear often on morning TV shows to whip up his favorite recipes. Another actor-friend, Dean Martin, admired his comic abilities so much that he cast DeLuise as a regular on his 1960s comedy-variety show. Dom DeLuise, a pudgy actor whose manic grin and air of desperation added comic bounce to films like "The Twelve Chairs," "Blazing Saddles" and "Cannonball Run," died Monday in Los Angeles. Dom DeLuise made a name for himself as a Hollywood actor, working as a comedian, director, and producer. He was 75 and lived in Pacific Palisades. DeLuise was appearing on Broadway in "Here's Love" in the early 1960s when Garry Moore saw him and hired him to play the magician "Dominick the Great" on "The Garry Moore Show.". Still another comic buddy, Gene Wilder, handed Dom the roles of the indulgent opera star in The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975) and harassed movie mogul Adolf Zitz in The World's Greatest Lover (1977). No details were immediately available. As an actor, he was incredibly prolific, appearing in scores of movies and TV shows, in Broadway plays and voicing characters for numerous cartoon shows. Dom DeLuise, a pudgy actor whose manic grin and air of desperation added comic bounce to films like The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles and Cannonball Run, died Monday in Los Angeles. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. 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LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Dom DeLuise, who spiced up such movies as "Blazing Saddles," "Silent Movie" and "The Cannonball Run" with his manic delivery and roly-poly persona, has died, his son's publicist said. The star actor who doubles as a film director starred alongside his older brother again on "SeaQuest DSV." The star was also a chef and author, and his career spanned over four decades. One lunch began with turkey soup and ended with strawberry shortcake. He later found himself part of Martin's "in-crowd" of comedians on his "celebrity roasts. He followed with a comedy, "The Glass Bottom Boat," starring Doris Day, and from then on he alternated between films and television. In 1973, he starred in a situation comedy, "Lotsa Luck," but it proved to be short-lived. Unlike DeLuise, however, Reynolds would not contribute a voiceover to any of the eventual film or television series or sequels. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories. Michael made his debut in 1979, alongside his late dad in the comic film "Hot Stuff." 2009 The Associated Press. DeLuise was also the voice of Pizza the Hutt in Brooks' "Star Wars" parody, "Spaceballs. Dominick DeLuise was born in Brooklyn and, after graduating from the High School for Performing Arts in Manhattan, attended Tufts. Brooks once remarked that, whenever he cast Dom in one of his films he'd add an extra two days to the shooting schedule because of delays between takes due to the constant laughter from cast and crew at Dom's improvisations.The lovable, butterball comedian was a mainstay on 1960s and '70s TV variety as a "second banana," or comic-relief player. Beginning in the 1980s, his popularity expanded to younger audiences from voicing characters in several major animated productions, particularly those of Don Bluth. [1] His first steady gig was as an intern at the Cleveland Play House, 1952-54, as stage manager and actor. He was born Dominick DeLuise in New York City on Aug. 1, 1933, to Italian immigrants. In the early 70s, DeLuise was a staple on The Dean Martin Show, occasionally singing in numbers with Martin and his guests and playing everything from a barber to a kings jester to a trench coat-wearing police inspector in sketches with Martin. He appeared in The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie, History of the World, Part I, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. His wife, Carol Arthur, a Broadway actress whom he married in 1965, was one of the regulars. Dom also got a taste of what it was like in front of the camera in Cleveland, appearing on the local TV kiddie's show "Tip Top Clubhouse. It'll Also Make You Feel Good.". } LOS ANGELES -- Dom DeLuise, the portly actor-comedian whose affable nature made him a popular character actor for decades with movie and TV audiences as well as directors and fellow actors, has. 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