Dom DeLuise, the portly actor-comedian whose affable nature made him a popular character actor and spawned a trio of lesser acting sons, has died at 75.The actor, who loved to cook and eat almost as much as he enjoyed acting, and looked frighteningly like Paul Prudhomme, ironically carved out a formidable second career later in life as a chef of fine cuisine. He authored two cookbooks and would appear often on morning TV shows to whip up his favorite recipes.
Mel Brooks particularly admired DeLuise's talent for offbeat comedy and cast him in several of his films, including The Twelve Chairs, Blazing Saddles, Silent Movie, History Of The World Part I and Robin Hood: Men In Tights. DeLuise was also the voice of Pizza the Hutt in Brooks' Star Wars parody, Spaceballs.
DeLuise also appeared frequently in films opposite Burt Reynolds and his moustache. Among them The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas, Smokey And The Bandit II, and The Cannonball Run I and II.
Because of his "passion" for food, the actor battled obesity throughout much of his life, his weight reaching as much as 325 pounds at one point. For years, he resisted the efforts of family members and doctors who tried to put him on various diets. He finally agreed in 1993 when he needed hip replacement surgery and his doctor refused to perform it until he lost 100 pounds.
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