Actor Dom DeLuise Dies at 75

Stage and screen star Dom DeLuise died Monday night at a Los Angeles hospital, according to published reports.

The Brooklyn-born actor made his New York stage debut in the Off-Broadway production of Little Mary Sunshine, and starred on Broadway in the shows Last of the Red Hot Lovers, Here’s Love, and The Student Gypsy. He appeared numerous times in the Metropolitan Opera’s Die Fledermaus, playing the role of Frosch.

His television work included regular appearances on The Entertainers and The Dean Martin Show, and as host on CBS’s The Dom DeLuise Variety Show and ABC’s Dom DeLuise and Friends. He is also well known for his film work, including Fatso, for which he received the Italian Film Acting Award, The Cannonball Run and several Mel Brooks’ comedies, including Blazing Saddles, History of the World – Part I, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

He made his film directorial debut with Hot Stuff, and also directed several stage productions, including Same Time Next Year (with Burt Reynolds and Carol Burnett), Butterflies Are Free, and Answers (with Stockard Channing).

He is survived by his wife, Carol Arthur, their sons Peter, Michael, and David, and grandchildren, Riley, Dylan, and Jake.