Dom DeLuise Biography

American actor Dom DeLuise is one of the most established comedic actors of our time. After nearly sixty years in front of the camera, DeLuise is most known for his frequent collaborations with funnyman Mel Brooks.

Dominick DeLuise was born August 1, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were John DeLuise and Vincenza DeStefano, both of whom were of Italian American descent.

DeLuise obtained his initial education from the High School of Performing Arts located in Manhattan.

Making his debut from a fairly early age, DeLuise first appeared on the screen in 1954. He played one of several Tinker the Toymakers in Tinker’s Workshop. Henry Burbig and Robert Keeshan also fulfilled this title role.

His next gig would not come until 1964 with Diary of a Bachelor, but after that film, he was a staple among Hollywood films and television series.

DeLuise first impressed audiences in the 1964 war drama Fail-Safe. Sharing the screen with Walter Matthau, Frank Overton, and Henry Fonda, DeLuise displayed a great deal of promise and unpolished talent.

After many minor roles in various films, DeLuise teamed up with Mel Brooks in his adaptation of Russian novel The Twelve Chairs. Playing Father Fyodor, DeLuise shared the screen with Ron Moody and Frank Langella.

Proving a fruitful collaboration, DeLuise solidified himself as a comedic actor when he once again appeared in a Brooks’ production. This time around, it was the 1974 classic Blazing Saddles with Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Slim Pickens, Madeline Kahn, and Harvey Korman.

1973 and 1974 also brought DeLuise’s appearance in the comedy series Lotsa Luck. Danny Wells starred, but it was DeLuise that walked with his first Golden Globe nomination.

Continuing in the comedic vein, Brooks conceived his next comedy, History of the World: Part 1, and he immediately cast DeLuise. Along with many of his go-to actors (such as Kahn and Korman), Brooks also cast Cloris Leachman and Gregory Hines. Orson Welles served as narrator.

While History quickly faded into relative obscurity, DeLuise’s work in Cannonball Run remains one of his most memorable roles. He appeared opposite Burt Reynolds, Roger Moore, Farrah Fawcett, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, and Jackie Chan.

He had another memorable stint in 1982’s The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas with country music legend Dolly Parton.

Never able to pass up the fun of the latest Brooks’ film, DeLuise happily took the role of Pizza the Hut in 1987’s Spaceballs. Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, John Candy, Joan Rivers, John Hurt, and Dick Van Patten had starring roles.

Warranting his own series from 1987 to 1988, DeLuise starred in the tepidly received The Dom DeLuise Show.

Quickly transitioning to a more well-received production, DeLuise voiced Itchy Itchiford in 1989’s animated cartoon All Dogs Go to Heaven. He reprised his role for the 90s series All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series. Fellow voice actors included Steven Weber, Sheena Easton, Ernest Borgnine, and Charles Nelson Reilly. It marked DeLuise’s first Emmy nomination.

1993 brought his latest Brooks collaboration with Robin Hood: Men in Tights. The all-star cast featured Cary Elwes, Richard Lewis, Amy Yasbeck, Dave Chappelle, Isaac Hayes, and others.

Outside of acting, DeLuise is noted for writing several children’s books and numerous cookbooks.

In his personal life, DeLuise married Carol Arthur on November 23, 1965. They have three children, and they are currently still together.