Dom DeLuise dies at 75....
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Dom DeLuise dies at 75....
| Tue, 05-05-2009 - 2:18pm |
Dom DeLuise dies at 75; actor was a 'naturally funny man'
The Brooklyn-born entertainer was a regular on TV variety shows in the 1960s and provided comedic support in movies for actors such as Mel Brooks and Burt Reynolds.
Dom DeLuise, the mirthful, moon-faced comic actor who was a regular on Dean Martin's television variety show in the 1970s and provided frequent comedic support in movies starring Mel Brooks and Burt Reynolds, has died. He was 75.
DeLuise died in Santa Monica in his sleep Monday night surrounded by family after a long illness, his son, Michael, told KNX radio. (Note: An earlier version of this article stated that DeLuise's son, Michael, spoke with KTLA.)
DeLuise died in Santa Monica in his sleep Monday night surrounded by family after a long illness, his son, Michael, told KNX radio. (Note: An earlier version of this article stated that DeLuise's son, Michael, spoke with KTLA.)
"He was a naturally funny man," film critic Leonard Maltin told The Times today. "He didn't need a script to be funny, but smart people like Mel Brooks knew how to give him just the right setting and showcase."
The Brooklyn-born entertainer, who got his start on stage and in children's television in the 1950s, emerged on TV variety shows in the 1960s.
But he was best known for his movie work with Brooks and Reynolds.
The Brooklyn-born entertainer, who got his start on stage and in children's television in the 1950s, emerged on TV variety shows in the 1960s.
But he was best known for his movie work with Brooks and Reynolds.
Beginning with playing a greedy family priest in Brooks' "The Twelve Chairs" in 1970, DeLuise went on to appear in Brooks' "Blazing Saddles," "Silent Movie," "History of the World: Part I," "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" -- as well as supplying the voice for the mozzarella-oozing Pizza the Hutt in "Spaceballs."
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," the latter in which DeLuise had a field day playing a frenzied schizophrenic.
The visually and verbally funny actor also appeared with Gene Wilder in "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother," "The World's Greatest Lover" and "Haunted Honeymoon" -- as well as in Neil Simon's "The Cheap Detective" and "Sextette," starring the Mae West.
DeLuise also starred in and directed the 1979 comedy "Hot Stuff," and he starred in "Fatso," a 1980 comedy-drama written and directed by Brooks' wife, actress Anne Bancroft.
The son of Italian immigrants -- his father was a city garbage collector, his mother a full-time homemaker -- he was born Dominick DeLuise in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Aug. 1, 1933.
The third of three children, DeLuise developed an interest in acting after playing Scrooge in a junior high school production of "A Christmas Carol" and went on to graduate from the High School of Performing Arts in New York.
"I became a comedian when they laughed at my serious acting," he said in a 1997 Times interview.
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," the latter in which DeLuise had a field day playing a frenzied schizophrenic.
The visually and verbally funny actor also appeared with Gene Wilder in "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother," "The World's Greatest Lover" and "Haunted Honeymoon" -- as well as in Neil Simon's "The Cheap Detective" and "Sextette," starring the Mae West.
DeLuise also starred in and directed the 1979 comedy "Hot Stuff," and he starred in "Fatso," a 1980 comedy-drama written and directed by Brooks' wife, actress Anne Bancroft.
The son of Italian immigrants -- his father was a city garbage collector, his mother a full-time homemaker -- he was born Dominick DeLuise in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Aug. 1, 1933.
The third of three children, DeLuise developed an interest in acting after playing Scrooge in a junior high school production of "A Christmas Carol" and went on to graduate from the High School of Performing Arts in New York.
"I became a comedian when they laughed at my serious acting," he said in a 1997 Times interview.


He always made me laugh.
My condolences to his family.
GO NOLES!!