Dom DeLuise dead at 75

Dom Deluise has died at the age of 75. The veteran comedian passed away in his sleep at a hospital in Los Angeles on Monday night, according to his son, Michael DeLuise.


DeLuise rose to fame in the 1970s and '80s, appearing alongside pal Burt Reynolds in movies like "The Cannonball Run", "The End", and "All Dogs Go to Heaven"; and in Mel Brooks comedies such as 1974's "Blazing Saddles", 1976's "Silent Movie", and 1993 comedy "Robin Hood: Men in Tights".

He became known on the small screen for his magic act as 'Dominick the Great' on the popular Dean Martin show between 1972 and 1973 He was nominated for a Golden Globe in 1974 for his work on TV comedy "Lotsa Luck", while he received a nod at the Daytime Emmys in 1999 for his efforts on animation "All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series". He also appeared on two episodes of "Stargate: SG-1".

DeLuise spent his latter years writing children's books and cookbooks.

He is survived by his actress wife Carol Arthur, who he married in 1965, and their three actor sons Peter, David and Michael DeLuise.