Dom Deluise, an American actor, comedian, director, producer, chef, and author, amongst other things, died on Monday (May 4) after a long battle with cancer. Although her was hospitalized at the time, he did die peacefully in his sleep, which is some consolation.
DeLuise was brilliant at so many things that it would be virtually impossible to choose a video to remember him by. He started out on the Dean Martin Show and then went on to become a great comedy actor, most notably in a number of Mel Brooks’ films, and the Cannonball Run movies.
It is a segment from those films that I’ve chosen to remember him by, mainly because that is where I first saw him. It also sums up how happy and funny the man was in his prime, and the connection he had with co-star Burt Reynolds.
DeLuise has left behind a great body of work and will be remembered by different people for many different things – no chance of being labeled a one-trick pony for this guy.
Rest In Peace Dom Deluise: 1933 – 2009.
