 Dom
DeLuise, was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of John and
Vincenza DeLuise. Dom graduated from New York's famed High School of
Performing Arts. His first paying acting job was the role of "Bernie
the Dog" in "Bernie's Christmas Wish." The young Dom spent his summers
at the Cleveland Playhouse, appearing in productions like "Kiss me
Kate," "Guys and Dolls," Hamlet," and "Stalag 17."
Dom's New York stage debut came in the off-Broadway
production of "Little Mary Sunshine." While appearing in a summer
production of "Summer & Smirk" in Provincetown, Massachusetts, Dom
met his wife, actress Carol Arthur. After eight off-Broadway shows, Dom
starred in the 1968 Broadway production of Neil Simon's "Last of the
Red Hot Lovers." Broadway roles in "Here's Love" and "The Student
Gypsy" soon followed.
His first television appearance was on the "Garry Moore Show,"
performing "Dominick the Great" with his good friend Ruth Buzzi. Dom's
countless guest-star appearances on variety shows lead to Dom becoming
a regular on "The Entertainers,"
with Carol Burnett and Bob Newhart. Dom soon found a love for
television, enjoying twelve years on the "Dean Martin Show." Some of
Dom's most memorable television appearances were guest hosting for
Johnny Carson on the "Tonight Show." In 1968, Dom found himself hosting
his own show on CBS, "The Dom DeLuise Variety Show," under the guiding
hand of Jackie Gleason. Dom returned to TV as ABC hosted "Dom DeLuise
and Friends" from 1983 to 1990.
Dom made his motion picture debut in 1964 in Sydney Lumet's "Fail
Safe." Subsequent films included "The Glass Bottom Boat," "The
Busybody," "What's So Bad About Feeling Good," "Norwood," and "Who is
Harry Kellerman..." After Dom's hilarious role in "The Twelve Chairs,"
Mel Brooks included Dom in some of his best comedies including "Blazing
Saddles," "Silent Movie," "History of the World - Part 1,"
"Spaceballs," and "Robin Hood, Men in Tights." With Gene Wilder, Dom
has appeared in "The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother,"
"The World's Greatest Lover," and "Haunted Honeymoon." Dom has also
appeared in many films with his good friend Burt Reynolds: "Smokey and
the Bandit II," "Cannonball Run I & II," "The Best Little
Whorehouse in Texas," and Dom's personal favorite, "The End." Dom loved
performing with Anne Bancroft, who wrote, directed and co-starred with
him in "Fatso." Dom's work in "Fatso" was recognized with an Italian
Film Acting Award, making his mother very happy.
Dom has been heard in many animated films, most notably, "All Dogs go
to Heaven," with Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson. Dom has received
critical acclaim for his performance as "Jeremy the Crow" in the
animated feature "The Secret of NIMH." Steven Spielberg cast Dom in his
most famous animated role, that of "Tigar" in "An American Tail." Dom
soon found himself as "Tigar" again in "An American Tail II," as well
as in attractions at the Universal Studios Tour and Hollywood theme
parks in Florida. Dom made his motion picture directorial debut in
1979, starring with Suzanne Plechette, Jerry Reed, and Ozzie Davis in
"Hot Stuff." Dom's love for theater didn't end with his Broadway
experience. He has directed a number of productions in Jupiter, Florida
including "Same Time Next Year," with Burt Reynolds and Carol Burnett;
"Butterflies are Free;" "Answers" with Stockard Channing; "Brighton
Beach Memoirs" with his son, Peter; and a musical, "Jump," starring his
talented wife, Carol Arthur.
Not limiting
himself to television, film, and theater, Dom has appeared at New
York's Metropolitan Opera from 1990 to 1997 in "Die Fledermaus." He has
also performed at the White house, entertaining Presidents Ford,
Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. Dom has also become known as a best-selling
author, writing two "Eat This" cookbooks, as well as his well-received
children's books, "Charlie the Caterpillar," "Goldilocks", "King Bob's
New Clothes," "Hansel & Gretel," and "The Nightingale."
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