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Comedy actor DeLuise dies aged 75 Tributes paid to comedian DeLuise
(about 8 hours later)
Actor and comedian Dom DeLuise, who starred in films including Blazing Saddles and Cannonball Run, has died at the age of 75, it has been announced. Mel Brooks and Burt Reynolds are among those who have paid tribute to actor and comedian Dom DeLuise, who has died in Los Angeles at the age of 75.
He died in his sleep at a hospital in Los Angeles on Monday night following a long illness, DeLuise's family said. Brooks, who directed DeLuise in several films, called him "a big man in every way". "He was big in size and created big laughter and joy," he said.
Reynolds, a friend and regular co-star, said he "always made you feel better. There will never be another like him."
Carol Burnett, meanwhile, remembered him as "a very special human being".
According to his family, DeLuise died in his sleep at a Santa Monica hospital on Monday following a long illness.
I loved him from the moment we met Doris Day
He had appeared in scores of films, TV shows and Broadway plays and provided voices for numerous cartoon characters.He had appeared in scores of films, TV shows and Broadway plays and provided voices for numerous cartoon characters.
His friend, fellow actor and regular co-star Burt Reynolds, said there would "never be another like him". DeLuise is best known for his roles in such Mel Brooks comedies as Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie and History of the World: Part I.
The two appeared together in several films including The End and Smokey and the Bandit II. He also made frequent appearances alongside Reynolds in films like The End, The Cannonball Run and Smokey and the Bandit II.
"I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. I will miss him very much," said Reynolds. In later life he became known for his cooking, authoring two cook books and demonstrating recipes on television.
DeLuise is best known for his performances in Mel Brooks' successful comic films, playing film director Buddy Bizarre in Blazing Saddles and Roman emperor Nero in History of the World: Part I. He is survived by his wife, Carol Arthur, and his three actor sons, Peter, Michael and David.
Later on, he also became known for his cooking, authoring two cook books and demonstrating recipes on television. 'Born funny'
He is survived by his wife, Carol Arthur, and three actor sons, Peter, Michael and David. "He was born funny," said DeLuise's agent, Robert Malcolm. "He knew how to charm you and how to make you feel comfortable."
His words were echoed by Doris Day, with whom DeLuise worked on 1966 film The Glass Bottom Boat.
"I loved him from the moment we met," said the veteran actress, now 87.
"Not only did we have the greatest time working together, but I never laughed so hard in my life."
The Cannonball Run was one of the films he made with Reynolds (left)
Born in New York City in 1933, Dominick DeLuise got his first taste of acting aged eight when he played the title role of Peter Rabbit in a school play.
He went on to graduate from Manhattan's famed School of Performing Arts, though in the years that followed work was hard to come by.
He met actress Carol Arthur while working in summer stock in Provincetown, Massachusetts, marrying her soon afterwards.
DeLuise went on to win fame on The Dean Martin Show as "Dominick the Great", a magician whose act routinely went wrong.
The actor's passion for food saw him battle obesity, his weight reaching 325 lb (147 kg) at one point.
His family has not disclosed the cause of his death. Last year, however, he revealed he had been fighting prostate cancer.
"I'm still here," he told TV show Entertainment Tonight in December. "I'm 75 and here. I feel very blessed."
Memorial services will be private, according to the actor's official website.
What was your favourite Dom DeLuise film? Did you ever meet the actor? What are your memories of him?What was your favourite Dom DeLuise film? Did you ever meet the actor? What are your memories of him?
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