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Dom DeLuise Dies At 75
By
Jen Chung
Published May 5, 2009
Modified May 5, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 5, 2009
Modified May 5, 2009
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Earlier today, family members said actor and comedian Dom DeLuise had passed away. The cause was not disclosed, but his agent said the 75-year-old actor "had high blood pressure, he had diabetes, he had lots of things," though he seemed fine a few weeks ago. DeLuise was born in Brooklyn and attended the High School for Performing Arts (he went to Tufts for college) and performed on Broadway and Off-Broadway before appearing in movies. He became beloved to many for his roles in Mel Brooks films (Spaceballs, Blazing Saddles among them) and in films starring his friend Burt Reynolds (Cannonball Run and its sequel, Smokey & The Bandit II). Reynolds told Entertainment Tonight, "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." DeLuise, who also parlayed his fame and love of food to a career as a cookbook author, was also in the The Muppet Movie as hosted an episode of the Muppet Show (see it here, parts one, two, and three).
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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