Dom DeLuise Dies

Comedian, actor, author and chef Dom DeLuise died in his sleep after a long illness May 4 at a Santa Monica, Calif., hospital, according to his son Michael DeLuise.

DeLuise, 75, debuted on Broadway in 1968 in “Last of the Red Hot Lovers” and parlayed his comedic talents into feature and regular roles in television variety shows with Dean Martin, Carol Burnett and Bob Newhart as well as hosting “The Dom DeLuise Variety Show” in 1968 and “Dom DeLuise and Friends” from 1983 to 1990.

His film career included regular roles in Mel Brooks’ films “History of the World Part I,” “Spaceballs,” “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” and “Blazing Saddles” and frequent roles opposite his friend Burt Reynolds in the “Cannonball Run” series, “Smokey and the Bandit II” and “The End.”

The entertainer also stayed busy doing voice acting in films including “An American Tail,” “The Secret of NIMH” and “All Dogs Go To Heaven” I and II, along with writing two cookbooks and two children’s books.