Dom DeLuise
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.
Movies (92)
Bongee Bear and the Kingdom of Rhythm
2019
Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films
2014
Mel Brooks: Make a Noise
2013
Musical Mel: Inventing The Inquisition
2009
Silent Laughter: The Reel Inspirations of 'Silent Movie'
2009
Hitchcock and Mel: Spoofing the Master of Suspense
2009
According to Dom
2009
Marty Feldman: Six Degrees of Separation
2008
The Best of Carson, Volume 1
2006
Girl Play
2004
I Love Muppets
2002
Back in the Saddle
2001
The Brainiacs.com
2000
Lion of Oz
2000
An American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster
1999
Baby Geniuses
1999
Boys Will Be Boys
1999
My X-Girlfriend's Wedding Reception
1999
The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue
1998
An All Dogs Christmas Carol
1998
The Godson
1998
An American Tail: The Treasure of Manhattan Island
1998
The Best of the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1998
The Good Bad Guy
1997
Lamb Chop's Chanukah and Passover Surprise
1996
All Dogs Go to Heaven 2
1996
Red Line
1995
The Tin Soldier
1995
Don't Drink the Water
1994
A Troll in Central Park
1994
Mae West and the Men Who Knew Her
1994
The Silence of the Hams
1994
Robin Hood: Men in Tights
1993
'Robin Hood: Men in Tights' – The Legend Had It Coming
1993
The Skateboard Kid
1993
Mickey's Audition
1992
Almost Pregnant
1992
Munchie
1992
Laurel and Hardy: A Tribute to the Boys
1992
An American Tail: Fievel Goes West
1991
Driving Me Crazy
1991
Timeless Tales: The Emperor's New Clothes
1990
Loose Cannons
1990
All Dogs Go to Heaven
1989
Happily Ever After
1989
Oliver & Company
1988
A Taxi Driver in New York
1987
Going Bananas
1987
Spaceballs
1987
An American Tail
1986
Haunted Honeymoon
1986
Gonzo Presents Muppet Weird Stuff
1985
Johnny Dangerously
1984
Cannonball Run II
1984
Happy
1983
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
1982
The Secret of NIMH
1982
Hollywood: The Gift of Laughter
1982
Baryshnikov in Hollywood
1982
Magic with the Stars
1982
The Cannonball Run
1981
History of the World: Part I
1981
Smokey and the Bandit II
1980
Wholly Moses
1980
Ann-Margret: Hollywood Movie Girls
1980
The Last Married Couple in America
1980
Fatso
1980
Hot Stuff
1979
The Muppet Movie
1979
The Muppets Go Hollywood
1979
Diary of a Young Comic
1979
The Cheap Detective
1978
The End
1978
Sextette
1978
The World's Greatest Lover
1977
Silent Movie
1976
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother
1975
Only with Married Men
1974
Blazing Saddles
1974
Every Little Crook and Nanny
1972
Evil Roy Slade
1972
Who Is Harry Kellerman and Why Is He Saying Those Terrible Things About Me?
1971
Norwood
1970
The Twelve Chairs
1970
The Dean Martin Christmas Show
1968
What's So Bad About Feeling Good?
1968
The Busy Body
1967
The Glass Bottom Boat
1966
Fail Safe
1964
Diary of a Bachelor
1964
The Ordeal of Thomas Moon
1957
Amazing Stories: The Movie III
TV Shows (62)
Spaceballs: The Animated Series
2008
Legends
2006
Robot Chicken
2005
Robot Chicken
2005
Father of the Pride
2004
Duck Dodgers
2003
Pet Star
2002
Emeril
2001
Hollywood Squares
1998
The Wild Thornberrys
1998
Hercules
1998
The Charlie Horse Music Pizza
1998
Police Academy: The Series
1997
Cow and Chicken
1997
Cow and Chicken
1997
Stargate SG-1
1997
I Am Weasel
1997
I Am Weasel
1997
Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
1996
All Dogs Go To Heaven: The Series
1996
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
1996
Dexter's Laboratory
1996
3rd Rock from the Sun
1996
The Naked Truth
1995
Cybill
1995
The Magic School Bus
1994
Duckman
1994
Burke's Law
1994
Diagnosis: Murder
1993
seaQuest DSV
1993
Fievel's American Tails
1992
The Ren & Stimpy Show
1991
Rugrats
1991
Beverly Hills, 90210
1990
Wake, Rattle, and Roll
1990
B.L. Stryker
1989
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
1988
21 Jump Street
1987
Married... with Children
1987
Amazing Stories
1985
The Muppet Show
1976
The Jacksons
1976
Tony Orlando and Dawn
1974
Dinah!
1974
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973
Lotsa Luck
1973
The Roman Holidays
1972
The Flip Wilson Show
1970
Medical Center
1969
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
1969
The Ghost & Mrs. Muir
1968
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In
1968
The Carol Burnett Show
1967
The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.
1966
The Dean Martin Show
1965
The Munsters
1964
The Merv Griffin Show
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
1962
The Mike Douglas Show
1961
The Mike Douglas Show
1961