American comedic actor Dom DeLuise dies at age 75

May 6, 2009

American actor Dom DeLuise has died, according to reports from his family. DeLuise had been battling cancer previously.

Born in 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, DeLuise came to be known for his roles in several Mel Brooks movies: The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie, History of the World, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. DeLuise also co-starred with Burt Reynolds in several movies: The Cannonball Run and Cannonball Run II, Smokey and the Bandit II, The End, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and All Dogs Go to Heaven. He was also well known for his role as the talent agent "Bernie" in The Muppet Movie. His most recent role was a cameo in the movie Horrorween, which is currently in production.

On television, DeLuise was a frequent guest star on The Dean Martin Show, and had his own show, The Dom DeLuise Show, in two incarnations: one in 1968 and one in 1987. He hosted the television show Candid Camera in 1991, and voiced Tiger in Fievel's American Tails the following year. DeLuise also made numerous cameos in other live-action and animated shows.

DeLuise was also an avid chef, authoring two cookbooks and making numerous appearances as a cook on morning television shows. He also wrote several children books. He died in his sleep on May 4, 2009, in a Santa Monica hospital in California.