Veteran actor Dom DeLuise passed away Monday evening in Los Angeles, according to son Michael. The actor had been hospitalized due to kidney failure and respiratory problems. He was 75.
DeLuise had a long career in both television and films. His first appearances in television date back to the mid-sixties, with credits that include The Munsters and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. In the 1970s, he began working relationships and friendships with several notable people that would continue for decades to come.
Actor, writer, producer and director friend Mel Brooks cast him as “Buddy Bizarre” in 1974’s Blazing Saddles, and the two continued to collaborate over the years in future Brooks films including History of The World Part One, Robin Hood: Men In Tights, and the science fiction parody film Spaceballs.
Dom DeLuise with sons David, Peter and Michael
He was also frequent collaborators with and good friends of actor Burt Reynolds and animator Don Bluth, appearing in several films and series with Reynolds including the Smokey and The Bandit and Cannonball Run series, and B.L. Stryker.
His voice work credits with Bluth include the roles of “Tiger” in the An American Tail animated movie and television productions, in addition to other projects with Bluth including The Secret of N.I.M.H. films and the All Dogs Go To Heaven films and animated series. DeLuise’s last voice work collaboration with Reynolds was in a 2005 episode of the Adult Swim series Robot Chicken.
Stargate SG-1 fans, however, will remember DeLuise as the title character in Season Three’s “Urgo,” where he played the fun-loving physical manifestation of an alien probe (and its creator) who wanted to experience life. After being implanted into the brains of the SG-1 team, he subliminally gets the team to show him new experiences while they struggle to get him out of their heads.
But beside this memorable episode, Dom left his greatest mark on the Stargate franchise through his sons. Peter DeLuise served as a director, writer, and producer on Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis for most of those series’ runs. Son Michael played Nick Marlowe/Colonel Danning in the episode “Wormhole X-Treme!” and son David played Pete Shanahan in several episodes of SG-1.
GateWorld offers our condolences to the entire DeLuise family during this difficult time. Dom is survived by his wife Carol Arthur, sons Michael, Peter and David, as well as three grandchildren.
UPDATE: SCI FI Channel in the U.S. will air “Urgo” this Monday, May 11 at 6 p.m. (5 Central), according to SciFi.com’s Craig Engler.
(Thanks to the many readers who sent this in)
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So many condolenses to the Deluise boys and their families. Dom will certainly be missed. RIP, Dom. You gave us so much joy and laughter.
I just had to register to say. OMG!!! This is such sad news for me to be hearing today!!! Dom Deluise in my honest opinion was (boy it's gonna be hard to get used to that instead of is) one of the funniest men I have ever seen on TV or the big screen! I loved him in every movie I have seen with him in it. He could always bring me to a laugh in a very sly, comical way without even trying. You will be sorely missed Mr. Deluise, but alas you will bring laughter to Heaven now. Thank you for your years of slapstick comedy, and humor. My thoughts go out to the Deluise family in their time of sorrow.
I also have to add my condolences here for the Deluise family. I have enjoyed Mr. Deluise's acting and comedy for decades, both in film and on tv, and his talent and personality will be sorely missed all around. Truly one of the greats in the entertainment world.
My condolences to his family and friends and to all of the fans who loved him.
my condondolences to the family and friends of Dom DeLuise, he will remember you as a great man who made us laugh when you played urgo. RIP Dom
'tis a shame. Urgo has always been one of my favourite episodes.
R.I.P. Dom...you were a true comic genius....my condolences to all your family at this very sad time...
Deeds xx
With a heavy heart and tears in my eyes! Dom was a wonderful and talented Actor/Chief. My heart goes out to his wife, sons and grandchildren. Urgo was one of my many favorite episodes. Growing up wathcing Dom in movies and then of course Stargate I feel that I have lost a part of my family. All the best to all that knew him.
God Bless and rest your soul. Thanks for the laughter through all my years. God's greatest gift is laughter and with all my heart I thank you for giving that to me. All the best to the family. You will be remembered.
Such sad news. I was just watching "The Secrets of NIMH" the other day and thinking how perfect Dom's voice was for Jeremy. Urgo is also one of my favorite episodes. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.