Dom DeLuise passed away on May 4, 2009 in his sleep. He was 75 years old. DeLuise was often known for his comedic roles and starred in many Mel Brooks films.

DeLuise was born on August 1, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York. He appeared in his first television show in 1964, The Entertainers. In the 1970s and 1980s he would star frequently with his friend Burt Reynolds in such films as Cannonball Run and Smokey and The Bandit II. DeLuise also did work in animated films and used his voice talents in The Secret of NIMH, An American Tail and All Dogs Go to Heaven.

DeLuise was also an avid cook and wrote several cook books. He struggled with his weight throughout the years often not heeding advice from friends and family members to lose the weight by dieting, diet pills or other means. In 1993, he finally lost 100 pounds before hip replacement surgery.

Burt Reynolds made this statement after learning of the death of his friend:

“I was thinking about this the other day. As you get older and start to lose people you love, you think about it more and I was dreading this moment. Dom always made you feel better when he was around and there will never be another like him. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. I will miss him very much.”

DeLuise was married to Carol Arthur and has three sons who are also actors: Peter, Michael and David.

Some of Dom Deluise’s best works: