Dom DeLuise Dies at the Age of 75 Years

Monday night, May 4, 2009, Dom DeLuise passed away in his bed at the age of 75 years. After battling cancer, he has gone to his next gig, making the sky ring with laughter from heaven. DeLuise family, his wife, Carol and his sons, Peter, Michael and David, must surely miss his huge grin and teddy-bear like personality.

I remember fondly watching him in such comedies as History of the World Part I, The End, and Cannonball Run. Always over the top, yet with a child-like quality that always made him likeable, he delighted everyone, regardless of age.

I remember, as a child who had battled with my weight for many years, watching him in the movie Fatso and really identifying with what he was portraying. Comedy is already hard to pull off; doing it with Pathos is what made him outstanding.

And, as he began to be in children's films, he made so many people smile. It didn't matter what background you had, how old you were, what you believed in. Dom DeLuise was funny. His goal was for you to have a good time, to laugh at his foibles, and you definitely did. He wasn't perfect and that was part of his charm.

Not only did he love performing but he really did have a love of food. And, he became a respectable chef, sharing his love of food with others through his many cookbooks.

I know that I will truly mourn the loss of this great man. He was a part of my life for so many years, not personally of course, but through all the characters he portrayed. He was not afraid to make fun of himself; in fact, he made a point to be self-deprecating. No matter what medium he was using, I could always count on Dom DeLuise to make me smile. Something I am going to miss very, very much.