Comic actor Dom DeLuise died 4 May 2009 after a long illness. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on 1 August 1933, DeLuise was closely associated with the movies of Mel Brooks and Burt Reynolds, but actually got his start on stage and in children’s television in the 1950s, and then in TV variety shows in the 1960s.
Film critic Leonard Maltin told The Los Angeles Times “He was a naturally funny man. 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.”
For Brooks, he appeared in The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie, History of the World: Part I, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. With Reynolds, he had roles in Smokey and the Bandit II, The Cannonball Run, Cannonball Run II, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and The End.
In his later years, DeLuise also picked up a lot of voice-over work for animation. His genre roles include appearances in: Horrorween (2009), Duck Dodgers (2005), Stargate SG-1 (2000), Baby Geniuses (1999), Walking After Midnight (1999), 3rd Rock from the Sun (1998), The Wild Thornberrys (1998), Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1998), Hercules (1998), Dexter’s Laboratory (1997), The Tin Soldier (1995), SeaQuest DSV (1994), The Magic School Bus (1994), A Troll in Central Park (1994), Happily Ever After (1993), The Skateboard Kid (1993), Munchie (1992), The Princess and the Dwarf (1989), Spaceballs (1987), Haunted Honeymoon (1986) Amazing Stories (1985), The Secret of NIMH (1982), Wholly Moses! (1980), and The Munsters (1966).
DeLuise first became interested in acting while playing Scrooge in a junior high school production of A Christmas Carol, and later graduated from the High School of Performing Arts in New York. He is survived by his wife, Carol Arthur (whom he married in 1965), their three sons, and three grandchildren.
DeLuise made several screen appearances with all three of his sons: actors Peter, Michael, and David. They were all in 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996) and SeaQuest DSV (1993). And Carol joined them in Happy (1983) and Hot Stuff (1979).