Dom DeLuise

Dom DeLuise

  • Birthday: 1933-08-01
  • Deathday: 2009-05-04
  • Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Biography

Dominick "Dom" DeLuise (August 1, 1933 – May 4, 2009) was an American actor and comedian. Known primarily for comedy roles, he rose to fame in the 1970s as a frequent guest on television variety shows. He is widely recognized for his performances in the films of Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder, as well as a series of collaborations and a double act with Burt Reynolds. Beginning in the 1980s, his popularity expanded to younger audiences from voicing characters in several major animated productions, particularly those of Don Bluth. DeLuise was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Italian American parents. He attended the High School of Performing Arts in New York City and later studied biology at Tufts University. After graduating from college, he began his career as a stand-up comedian. He made his television debut in 1964 on the variety show The Dean Martin Show. In 1970, DeLuise made his film debut in the Mel Brooks comedy The Twelve Chairs. He went on to appear in several other Brooks films, including Blazing Saddles, Robin Hood: Men in Tights, and History of the World, Part I. He also starred in a number of films with Gene Wilder, including The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother, The World's Greatest Lover, and See No Evil, Hear No Evil. DeLuise was a frequent collaborator with Burt Reynolds, and the two starred in a number of films together, including The End, Smokey and the Bandit II, and Cannonball Run II. He also had a recurring role on the television series Evening Shade. In addition to his film and television work, DeLuise was also a successful voice actor. He voiced characters in a number of animated films, including All Dogs Go to Heaven, The Secret of NIMH, and An American Tail. He also hosted the children's cooking show Cooking with Dom DeLuise. DeLuise was a popular and beloved figure in Hollywood. He was known for his infectious laugh and his larger-than-life personality. He was also a talented actor and comedian, and he enjoyed a long and successful career. Dom DeLuise died on May 4, 2009, at the age of 75. He had been battling pancreatic cancer for several months. He died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Beverly Hills, California. DeLuise's family released a statement saying that he had died "peacefully at home after a long battle with cancer." They said that he was "surrounded by his loving family and friends." DeLuise's death was met with sadness and tributes from fans and colleagues alike. Mel Brooks, who directed DeLuise in several films, said that he was "a great talent and a great friend." Gene Wilder said that DeLuise was "one of the funniest people I've ever known." DeLuise's funeral was held on May 8, 2009, at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills. He was buried at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Filmography

A Troll in Central Park

1994

As Stanley (voice)

Fatso

1980

As Dominick DiNapoli

Laurel and Hardy: A Tribute to the Boys

1992

As Himself - Host / Narrator

Hot Stuff

1979

As Ernie Fortunato

Going Bananas

1987

As Big Bad Joe Hopkins

Happy

1983

As Roger Hanover

History of the World: Part I

1981

As Emperor Nero

The Silence of the Hams

1994

As Dr. Animal Cannibal Pizza

All Dogs Go to Heaven

1989

As Itchy Itchiford (voice)

Cannonball Run II

1984

As Victor Prinzim / Captain Chaos / Don Canneloni

The End

1978

As Marlon Borunki

All Dogs Go to Heaven 2

1996

As Itchy Itchiford (voice)

An All Dogs Christmas Carol

1998

As Itchy Itchiford (voice)

Red Line

1995

As Jerry

The Skateboard Kid

1993

As Rip (voice)

Diary of a Young Comic

1979

As Himself

Silent Movie

1976

As Dom Bell

Haunted Honeymoon

1986

As Aunt Kate Abbot

Loose Cannons

1990

As Harry 'The Hippo' Gutterman

The Twelve Chairs

1970

As Father Fyodor

Driving Me Crazy

1991

As Mr. B

Happily Ever After

1989

As The Looking Glass (voice)

The World's Greatest Lover

1977

As Adolph Zitz

The Godson

1998

As The Oddfather

A Taxi Driver in New York

1987

As Capitano T. Favretto

Sextette

1978

As Dan Turner

Diary of a Bachelor

1964

As Marvin Rollins

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

1982

As Melvin P. Thorpe

What's So Bad About Feeling Good?

1968

As J. Gardner Monroe

The Cannonball Run

1981

As Victor

The Secret of NIMH

1982

As Jeremy (voice)

The Tin Soldier

1995

As Mr. Fallon

Only with Married Men

1974

As Murray West

The Good Bad Guy

1997

As Il giudice

Mickey's Audition

1992

As Sound Man

Girl Play

2004

As Gabriel

Baby Geniuses

1999

As Lenny

Almost Pregnant

1992

As Dr. Beckhard

Munchie

1992

As Munchie (voice)

Evil Roy Slade

1972

As Logan Delp

Wholly Moses

1980

As Shadrach

The Brainiacs.com

2000

As Ivan Lucre

Lion of Oz

2000

As Oscar Diggs (voice)

Baryshnikov in Hollywood

1982

As The Producer

Oliver & Company

1988

As Fagin (voice)

The Cheap Detective

1978

As Pepe Damascus

Johnny Dangerously

1984

As The Pope

Norwood

1970

As Bill Bird

Every Little Crook and Nanny

1972

As Mario Azzecca

The Magic Voyage

1992

As Christopher Columbus (voice)

Back in the Saddle

2001

As Self (archive footage)

The Glass Bottom Boat

1966

As Julius Pritter

I Love Muppets

2002

As Self

Boys Will Be Boys

1999

As Chef

The Busy Body

1967

As Kurt Brock

Fail Safe

1964

As TSgt. Collins

The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

1998

As Self - Roastee (archive footage)

The Muppet Movie

1979

As Bernie the Agent

An American Tail

1986

As Tiger (voice)

Robin Hood: Men in Tights

1993

As Don Giovanni

Don't Drink the Water

1994

As Father Drobney

Spaceballs

1987

As Pizza the Hutt (voice)

Blazing Saddles

1974

As Buddy Bizarre

Mel Brooks: Make a Noise

2013

As Self (archive footage)

Production

Hot Stuff

1979

As Director

Boys Will Be Boys

1999

As Director

Happy

1983

As Producer

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