RIP Dom DeLuise

Friends,

We've lost another great one. This week Dom DeLuise passed away from cancer. There are some folks who are clever, others who are witty, and then there are those who are just plain funny. Dom DeLuise was a funnyman in the deepest sense of the word. A lovable teadybear of a man, he could do the innocent, clueless bit like no one else. But his versatility allowed him to do so much more.

In the early 80s, he starred in a number of films with Burt Reynolds. Mediocre films overall, the inclusion of outtakes at the end were the funniest part of the movie. DeLuise simply cracked up Reynolds. We all have those friends who just have a comdic power over us and cause us to fall down, holding our sides over their antics. DeLuise was that for Reynolds and those outtakes were so human that they brought the humor of candid moments out as a genre of comedy. There had been the "Pardon My Blooper" albums in 50s and 60s, but it was DeLuise's ability to get Reynolds to giggle that really brought it into the mainstream, giving rise to regular tv shows dedicated to them.

For me, Dom DeLuise will always be connected with his parts in Mel Brooks' films. With small parts in Blazing Saddles, History of the World, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights, he absolutely stole scenes. With meatier roles in The Twelve Chairs and Silent Movie, he was endearing.

Thank you, Saint Dom for all the laughs for all the years.

Here's a classic appearance on Carson.
What was your favorite Dom DeLuise scene?

Live, love, and laugh,

Irreverend Steve