Dom DeLuise, the jovial comedy star who brightened up many a Mel Brooks movie, has died at the age of 75.
The actor passed away on Monday evening at St. John’s Health Centre in Santa Monica, surrounded by his wife, Carol, and their three sons, Peter, Michael and David.
The portly funnyman was best-known for his energetic appearances in several Brooks films, including Silent Movie, **History Of The World Part I **and, of course, Blazing Saddles, where he appeared near the end, conducting the film’s infamous ‘French Mistake’ dance number.
“Dom DeLuise was a big man in every way," said Brooks, in a statement. “He was big in size and created big laughter and joy. He will be missed in a very big way.”
DeLuise’s career was also defined by another partnership with Burt Reynolds, with the two appearing together in the knockabout comedies, The End, The Cannonball Run and Cannonball Run II, where his trademark manic energy dovetailed nicely with Reynolds’ iconic, laconic presence.
“Dom always made you feel better when he was around and there will never be another like him,” said a Reynolds statement. “I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. I will miss him very much.”
Other notable DeLuise roles included The Adventure Of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother, The Muppet Movie, and the Dan Aykroyd comedy, Loose Cannons, while he once appeared on an episode of 3rd Rock From The Sun opposite his three sons. He also carved out a niche for himself as a voice actor in the latter years of his career.
But DeLuise was also well-known for a second career, as an author of the successful cookbooks, Eat This – It Will Make You Feel Better! and Eat This Too! It’ll Also Make You Feel Good. He also wrote seven children’s books, including Charlie The Caterpillar, which was published in 1993.