Dom DeLuise
August 1, 1933 – May 4, 2009
“I’m actually a thin serious person but I play fat and funny, but only for the movies.” – Dom DeLuise
Actor.
Comedian.
Author.
Musician.
Chef.
In the 1970s and ’80s, you could not look anywhere without encountering the brilliance of Dom DeLuise. Whether he was stealing scenes in classic Mel Brooks’ movies (History of the World Part I, Silent Movie, Spaceballs), buddying up on the open road with real-life pal and frequent co-star, Burt Reynolds (Cannonball Run I & II, Smokey and the Bandit II) or appearing on stage at the Metropolitan Opera, DeLuise was everywhere.
And absolutely no one complained.
Dominick DeLuise was born in Brooklyn and immediately sought a life in show business. After graduating from a performing arts high school and by way of college/regional theater in Massachusetts, he started finding work back in New York. He appeared in a number of Off-Broadway and Broadway shows and eventually made his way onto television. He appeared in a season 2 episode of The Munsters and was featured on The Dean Martin Show, where he became a crowd (and host) favorite. This led to his own, short-lived eponymous variety show…and so much more.
In 1966, he appeared alongside Doris Day in The Glass Bottom Boat, which was critically panned except for his performance, which critics lauded. Numerous television appearances followed and in 1970, he worked with Mel Brooks for the first time on The Twelve Chairs. By the end of the 1970s, DeLuise had worked with everyone from Gene Wilder to Kermit the Frog.
The 1980s found Dom doing some of his biggest work and branching out into voice work for a number of animated features including An American Tale, All Dogs Go To Heaven and Oliver & Company. He also spent time writing children’s books and cookbooks, often appearing on talk shows to do highly entertaining cooking segments.
DeLuise was married to actor Carol Arthur for more than 40 years. They had three sons, all of whom followed their dad into show business. After battling cancer and other health issues, Dom DeLuise died of kidney failure in his sleep at the age of 75. Mel Brooks paid tribute to his friend by recounting their days working together, saying “Every time I made a movie with Dom, I would plan another two days on the schedule just for laughter.”
Burial
Calvary Cemetery – Queens NY
Specific Location
Second Calvary, Section 42, Range 38, Plot BB, Grave 20; In the northeast corner of the middle/second section of the new portion of the cemetery, find a grave marker with the name KELLY on it where the road turns sharply to the south and walk north until you reach the fence. Dom is buried along the fence line directly under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.
Celebrity Graveland 
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