Dom DeLuise

Photo of Dom DeLuise

Biography

An energetic comic talent with a hysterical and infectious laugh, Dom DeLuise was a character actor who lent stellar support to some of the biggest names in entertainment in for three decades. A dependable laugh-getter on television in the 1960s, his popularity brought him to features, where he was put to superb use in films by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder; he was also a frequent sidekick to Burt Reynolds, who seemed incapable of keeping a …
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Job Title

Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Music

Born

Dominick DeLuise on August 1, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York, USA

Career Milestones

Began performing with the Cleveland Playhouse

1960

Made NY stage debut in the off-Broadway production of "Little Mary Sunshine"

1963

First Broadway performance was in "The Student Gypsy"

1964

Film acting debut in Sidney Lumet's "Fail Safe"

1964

Made TV debut on "The Garry Moore Show" (CBS); created character Dominic the Great

1964

Was as a regular performer (with Carol Burnett and Bob Newhart) in the television show "The Entertainers" (CBS)

1966

Appeared as a regular on "The Dean Martin Summer Show" (NBC)

1968

Hosted own short-lived variety show, "The Dom DeLuise Show" on CBS

1969

First collaboration with Mel Brooks, "The Twelve Chairs"

1971

Assumed leading role of Barney Cashman in Neil Simon's "Last of the Red Hot Lovers"

1971

Was a recurring guest on "The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour"

1972

Appeared regularly on "The Dean Martin Show" (NBC)

1973

Starred in the NBC sitcom, "Lotsa Luck"

1974

Re-teamed with Mel Brooks for "Blazing Saddles"

1975

Co-starred in the comedy film "The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother" directed by and starring Gene Wilder

1976

Once again teamed with Brooks for "Silent Movie"

1978

Co-starred with and directed by Burt Reynolds in "The End"

1979

Feature film directing debut, "Hot Stuff"; also starred

1980

Began directing stage productions at the Burt Reynolds Theatre

1980

Joined Burt Reynolds for the comedy hit, "Smokey and the Bandit II"

1980

Played the lead role, opposite Anne Bancroft in "Fatso"; also written and directed by Bancroft

1981

Co-starred in Mel Brooks' "History of the World, Part I"

1981

Once again starred opposite Reynolds in the cult comedy hit "The Cannonball Run"

1982

Played a supporting role in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" starring Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds

1984

Reprised role for "Cannonball Run II"

1986

Co-starred with Gene Wilder and Gilda Radner in "Haunted Honeymoon"; Wilder also wrote and directed

1987

Starred in the syndicated sitcom, "The Dom DeLuise Show"

1989

Made opera debut in "Orpheus in the Underworld" with the Los Angeles Opera Company

1991

Hosted the syndicated show, "Candid Camera"

1994

Played the regular role of Vinnie on "Burke's Law" (CBS)

1996

Voiced Itchy Itchiford in the animated series, "All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series" (ABC)

1998

Played Cookie the Cook on the PBS children's series "Charlie Horse Music Pizza"

Awards

1973

Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy Or Musical in Lotsa Luck