Dom DeLuise Dead at 75

Dom DeLuise, who brought his unique comedic gifts to many films passed away Monday evening in his sleep, according to his son's publicist. He was 75.
DeLuise appeared in several Mel Brooks films, including Blazing Saddles and Silent Movie. Later, he was a frequent co-star of Burt Reynolds, appearing in films like The End, Smokey and the Bandit II and The Cannonball Run.
Reynolds released a statement to EntertainmentTonight Tuesday morning. "I was thinking the other day about this," Reynolds said. "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."
DeLuise was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1933. In the 1960s he had bit parts in a handful of movies, including Fail Safe (1964), but became well known as a regular on The Entertainers and a Dean Martin variety show. He had his own summer replacement show in 1968 and was a regular on Glen Campbell'sGoodtime Hour in 1971-72.
DeLuise made his directorial debut in 1973 with Hot Stuff.
Later in his career, DeLuise supplied his vocal talents to animated films such as An American Tail andAll Dogs Go to Heaven.
Dom DeLuise was married to Carol Arthur, and was the father of actor, writer, director Peter DeLuise, and actors David DeLuise and Michael DeLuise.