Dominick "Dom" DeLuise (August 1, 1933 – May 4, 2009)
was an
American actor,
comedian,
film director,
television producer,
chef, and
author. He was the husband of actress
Carol Arthur from 1965 until his death, and the father of actor, writer, director
Peter DeLuise, and actors
David DeLuise and
Michael DeLuise.
Biography
Early life
DeLuise was born in
Brooklyn, New York to
Italian American parents, Vincenza "Jennie" (
née DeStefano), a homemaker, and John DeLuise, a civil servant (garbage collector).
[Dom Deluise Biography] DeLuise graduated from Manhattan's
High School of Performing Arts. He later attended
Tufts University in
Medford, Massachusetts.
[New York Times Biography]
Career
DeLuise generally appeared in comedic parts, although an early appearance (in the movie
Fail-Safe as a nervous enlisted airman) showed a possible broader range. His first acting credit was as a regular performer in the television show
The Entertainers in 1964. He gained early notice for his supporting turn in the
Doris Day film
The Glass Bottom Boat (1966). In his
New York Times review,
Vincent Canby panned the film but singled out the actor, stating, "...the best of the lot, however, is a newcomer, Dom DeLuise, as a portly, bird-brained spy."
[movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?_r=1&res=9E01E7DD133DE43BBC4852DFB066838D679EDE&partner=Rotten%20Tomatoes]
