Dom DeLuise Dies at 75

Actor Dom DeLuise has died, according to his son’s publicist.  He was 75 years old.

DeLuise was best known for his movies where he co-starred with Burt Reynolds, including “Cannonball Run,” “Smokey and the Bandit II,” and “The End.”  He also appeared in 5 Mel Brooks movies.  DeLuise appears in “Blazing Saddles,” in which he played a musical director.  He also appeared in “Silent Movie,” “The Twelve Chairs,” “Spaceballs,” and “Robin Hood: Men in Tights.”

Burt Reynolds released the following statement about his friend: “I was thinking the other day about this. 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.”

I first saw him and remember him best in “Cannonball Run.”  It was one of those movies that always seemed to be playing in the early days of cable.  I’m sure many of my generation have the same memories of coming home, popping on the TV, and watching that movie again and again.

DeLuise will be missed.