Dom DeLuise

At 75 years old, Dom DeLuise has this physical status:

Dominick DeLuise (September 1, 1933 – May 4, 2009) was an American actor, voice actor, comedian, producer, and writer.

He was the husband of actress Carol Arthur and the father of actor, composer, pianist, and writer Peter DeLuise, as well as actor David DeLuise and Michael DeLuise.

Mel Brooks produced a number of films directed by him, as well as a voice actor in several Don Bluth animated films.

Early life

DeLuise was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Italian American parents Vincenza "Jennie" (née DeStefano), a homemaker, and John DeLuise, a public servant (garbage collector). He was the youngest of three children, having an older brother, Nicholas "Nick" DeLuise, and an older sister, Antoinette DeLuise-Daurio. DeLuise graduated from Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts and then attended Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, where he majored in biology. DeLuise was a Roman Catholic and had devoted devotion to the Virgin Mary.

Personal life

DeLuise met actress Carol Arthur in 1964 while performing in a summer theater in Provincetown, Massachusetts. They married in 1965 and had three children, three of whom are actors: Peter, Michael, and David DeLuise.

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Career

At age 18, DeLuise's paid stage debut, and Bernie the dog was in the film Bernie's Christmas Wish. His first regular job at the Cleveland Play House, 1952-54, was as a stage manager and actor.

DeLuise appeared in the Off-Broadway musical revue Another Evening with Harry Stoons in 1961, which had nine previews and one performance. Barbra Streisand, 19, was another cast member of the film. He appeared in All in Love, an off-Broadway play that opened on November 10, 1961, at the Martinique Theatre, which attracted 141 performances. Half-Past Wednesday (off-Broadway) (1962); Around the World in 80 Days (Broadway) (1963); Here's Love (Broadway) (1969), The Last of the Red Hot Lovers (Broadway) (1969).

Although DeLuise appeared in comedic parts, his debut in the film Fail-Safe as a tense USAF technical sergeant broadened the range. In 1964, he appeared on the television show The Entertainers for his first acting work. He received early notice for his support for his role in the Doris Day film The Glass Bottom Boat (1966). Vincent Canby panned the film in his New York Times article but singled out the actor, saying, "[T]he best of the lot, however, is a newcomer, who serves as a portly, bird-brained spy."

He appeared with his real-life friend Burt Reynolds in the 1970s and 1980s. They appeared in the films The Cannonball Run and Cannonball Run II, Smokey and the Bandit II, The Conclusion, and Texas's Best Little Whorehouse. DeLuise was the host of the television show Candid Camera from 1991 to 1992. He was a mainstay of Burke's Law, an American television series that aired on CBS from 1993–94 and 1994–95 television seasons.

DeLuise also contributed to numerous animated films and was a central figure in Don Bluth's films, appearing in The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail, A Troll in Central Park, and All Dogs Go to Heaven. Reynolds performed Charlie B. Barkin, the cheek and eccentric main character, and DeLuise performed Itchy Itchy Itchiford, Charlie's best friend, wingman, and later partner in company. Reynolds will not be able to any of the forthcoming film or television series or sequels, unlike DeLuise.

In addition to acting as DeLuise in the Walt Disney film Oliver & Company, DeLuise performed the iconic character of Charles Dickens' Fagin in the Walt Disney film Oliver & Company and made voice guest appearances on several animated television shows.

On The Dean Martin Show, television producer Greg Garrison selected DeLuise to appear as a special act. DeLuise performed his "Dominick the Great" routine, a riotous example of a magical performance gone wrong, with host Martin as a bemused volunteer from the audience. "No Applause Please, Save a To The End" was Dom's catchphrase in an Italian accent. DeLuise became a regular on Martin's show, appearing in both songs and sketches after the performance went so well.

In addition, DeLuise appeared in ABC's own hour-long comedy specials. (Martin was often off-camera when these were shot, and his distinct chuckles can be heard).

DeLuise hosted his own hour-long comedy variety series for CBS, The Dom DeLuise Show, in 1968. It was held in Miami at The Jackie Gleason Theater, and it featured many familiar Gleason show cast members, including The June Taylor Dancers and The Sammy Spear Orchestra. Carol Arthur, DeLuise's wife, appeared on DeLuise's blog on a daily basis. The Jonathan Winters Show was the summer replacement for The Jonathan Winters Show in The Jonathan Winters Show. Lotsa Luck (1973–1974) was his first appearance in his own sitcom.

DeLuise was certainly best known as a regular in Mel Brooks' films. He appeared in The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Silent Film, History of the World, Part I, Spaceballs, and Men in Tights, Robert Hood. In Fatso (1980), Brooks' then-wife, actress Anne Bancroft, directed Dom.

DeLuise showcased his comedic talents while appearing in the comedic operetta Die Fledermaus at the Metropolitan Opera, performing in four separate revivals of the Met from 1990 to 1996. Although the production was in German, the spoken parts were in English. He also portrayed the role of L'Opinion Publique in drag for Offenbach's Orpheus in the Underworld.

He appeared on On The House with The Carey Brothers, an avid cook and author of several books on cooking, giving listeners tips on culinary topics. He was also a friend and self-proclaimed "look-alike" of famous Cajun chef Paul Prudhomme, author of seven children's books.

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