Comedy Legend Dom DeLuise gone at age 75

Comic Dom DeLuise

The entertainment world has recieved another loss this month with the passing of comedy legend Dom DeLuise at age 75. DeLuise was a Golden Globe nominated actor,and world class comic who starred with legends such as Dean Martin as well as in many other roles and. At this time reports say, that he passed away in his sleep at a Los Angeles hospital. One of my sources told me Dom had been fighting a battle with cancer. This afternoon NBC news confirmed DeLuise had been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

DeLuise was the featured comic relief in several Mel Brooks' classics, like 'Blazing Saddles,' Spaceballs' and 'Robin Hood Men in Tights.' His other roles were in blockbuster hits like 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,' 'Fatso' and 'The Muppet Movie.' But most would say is probably best known for his role in the classic action comedy Cannonball Run with co star Burt Reynolds. When asked about his friend Dom Reynolds released this statement, "I was thinking the other day about this. As you get older you think about this more and more, I was dreading this moment. Dom always made everyone feel better when he was around. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. I will miss him very much," Reynolds says.

"Cannonball Run" out-takes

Classic bit by Dom DeLuise with Dean Martin

In his early days DeLuise did a brief stint as the fourth and last host/performer and instructor on "Tinker's Workshop" in 1954 on WJZ/WABC TV Ch. 7 NYC's weekday mornings from 1958 to Friday August 22, 1958. Also he appeared with Shari Lewis' on "The Shari Lewis Show" in 1960. In 1960 -1962 he starred as a bumbling private eye “Kenny Ketcham” on the NBC Saturday morning shedule from October, 1960 to September, 1962. PBS also featured Dom as “Cookie” on "The Charlie Horse Music Pizza" weekday mornings from 1996 to 1998. He was even named as "King of Brooklyn" at the Welcome Back to Brooklyn Festival in 1984

He was married to actress Carol Arthur and had two sons Michael, Peter and David DeLuise . Dom made a guest appearance on the 1993 series SeaQuest which was filmed on location at Universal Studios Florida, The weekly show starred his sons Peter and Michael DeLuise. During this episode callled “Vapors” they were also joined by son David DeLuise. The foursome also worked together on Stargate SG-1 in various episodes. Family togetherness was an obvious priority to Dom DeLuise. So it was only natural that he along with his wife Carol Arthur and 3 sons also worked together on 1979 “Hot Stuff” and 1983 “Happy”.

During the filming of SeaQuest I worked at Universal Studios as Marilyn Monroe. Almost everyday I would see Michael, and Peter DeLuise roaming about both in the studios, and at local hangouts. They were both really nice guys and never acted like they wer ebig stars or expected special treatment. One time Michael jumped into the backseat of the silver Cadillac they used to drive me in. He was in full makeup with his "SeaQuest gills" and all, and said he wanted to ride around in the park with me as Marilyn. Of course he was joking, and jumped out but it was pretty funny.

Later that year I was performing s Marilyn for a “Food” event, in Jacksonville as I recall. They announced there was going to be a cooking demonstration by none other than Dom DeLuise. “DOM DELUISE!!!!” At that tine I did not realize he had become a chef but I was excited to be able to meet him in person. I said to myself “I have got to go meet him!”. So, I hurried off to find him. There he was bigger than life, as expected he was making everyone in the audience crack up. He spotted me out of the corner of his eye and brought me on stage to help him cook ( sort of). I told him how I had met his sons in Orlando, and how nice I thought they were. He turined to the audience , pointed at me and said ”No wonder my boys wont leave Florida”.

To this day I think that is one of the nicest remarks I have ever received. He was so nice to me, even posing for a picture. I can’t believe he is gone...but his memory and the laughs he gave us will live on in our hearts forever.
Rest in Peace Dom Deluise.