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.
2013
as Self (archive footage)
2009
as Self
2009
as Self
2009
as Self
2008
as Pizza the Hutt (voice)
2008
as Self
2006
as Self
2006
2005
2005
as Victor Prinzim / Don DeLuise (voice)
2004
as Duke (voice)
2004
2004
as Gabriel
2004
2003
as Roy Serpenti (voice)
2002
as Self - Judge
2002
as Self
2001
2001
as Self (archive footage)
2000
as Ivan Lucre
2000
as Oscar Diggs (voice)
1999
as Tiger (voice)
1999
as Lenny
1999
as Chef
1999
as Father O'Rdeal
1998
as Jeremy (voice)
1998
as Itchy Itchiford (voice)
1998
as The Oddfather
1998
as Self - Panelist
1998
as Baby Condor (voice)
1998
as Bacchus (voice)
1998
as Tiger (voice)
1998
as Cookie the Cook
1998
as Self - Roastee (archive footage)
1997
as Zeus
1997
1997
as Urgo/Togar
1997
as Jean-Paul Beaver / Governor #2 / Owl #2 (voice)
1997
as Mayor / Frenchman #3 / Neighbor #2 (voice)
1997
as Il giudice
1996
as Mortimer
1996
as Itchy Itchiford (voice)
1996
as Koosalagoopagoop (voice)
1996
as Dom
1996
as Itchy Itchiford (voice)
1996
as Mr. Polone
1995
as Jerry
1995
1995
as Mr. Fallon
1995
1994
as Father Drobney
1994
as Stanley (voice)
1994
as Baker
1994
as Self - Host
1994
as Dr. Animal Cannibal Pizza
1994
1994
as Vinnie Piatte
1993
as Buddy Blake
1993
as Nick Piccolo
1993
as Don Giovanni
1993
as Self
1993
as Rip (voice)
1992
as Sound Man
1992
as Tiger (voice)
1992
as Dr. Beckhard
1992
as Munchie (voice)
1992
as Christopher Columbus (voice)
1992
as Self - Host / Narrator (voice)
1991
as Nicodemus (voice)
1991
as Tiger (voice)
1991
as Self - Host
1991
as The Big Kahuna (voice)
1991
as Director (voice)
1991
as Mr. B
1990
1990
as Lippy the Lion & Hardy Har Har
1990
as Harry 'The Hippo' Gutterman
1989
as Itchy Itchiford (voice)
1989
as The Looking Glass (voice)
1989
1988
as Fagin (voice)
1987
as Capitano T. Favretto
1987
as Big Bad Joe Hopkins
1987
as Pizza the Hutt (voice)
1987
as Uncle Nick
1987
as Floyd the Dog (voice)
1986
as Tiger (voice)
1986
as Aunt Kate Abbot
1985
as Guilt
1985
as Self
1984
as The Pope
1984
as Victor Prinzim / Captain Chaos / Don Canneloni
1983
as Roger Hanover
1983
as Self
1982
as Melvin P. Thorpe
1982
as Jeremy (voice)
1982
as Self
1982
as The Producer
1982
1981
as Self
1981
as Victor
1981
as Emperor Nero
1980
as Doc
1980
as Shadrach
1980
as Himself
1980
as Walter Holmes
1980
as Dominick DiNapoli
1979
as Ernie Fortunato
1979
as Bernie the Agent
1979
as Self
1979
as Himself
1978
as Pepe Damascus
1978
as Marlon Borunki
1978
as Dan Turner
1977
as Adolph Zitz
1976
as Self
1976
as Self - Special Guest Star
1976
as Dom Bell
1976
as El mismo
1975
as Eduardo Gambetti
1974
as Murray West
1974
as Self
1974
as Self
1974
as Buddy Bizarre
1973
as Self
1973
as Stanley Belmont
1972
as Mr. Evictus (voice)
1972
as Mario Azzecca
1972
as Logan Delp
1971
as Irwin Marcy
1970
as Bill Bird
1970
as Father Fyodor
1970
as Self
1969
1969
as Self
1968
as Self
1968
1968
as J. Gardner Monroe
1968
as Self
1967
as Self - Guest / Various Characters
1967
as Kurt Brock
1966
1966
as Julius Pritter
1966
1965
1964
as TSgt. Collins
1964
1964
as Marvin Rollins
1957
as Thomas Moon (uncredited)
as (archive footage)