Dom DeLuise

Dom DeLuise (August 1, 1933 – May 4, 2009) was an American actor and comedian. He gained fame in the 1970s as a frequent guest on television variety shows. DeLuise is best known for his comedy roles in the films of Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder, as well as his collaborations and double act with Burt Reynolds. He also voiced characters in several major animated productions, particularly those of Don Bluth, which expanded his popularity to younger audiences in the 1980s. DeLuise was born in Brooklyn, New York to Italian American parents. He studied at Manhattan's High School of Performing Arts and later attended Tufts University, majoring in biology.