Dom DeLuise
A vortex of joyous chaos, this comic genius brought unbridled, infectious laughter to films, TV, and the kitchens of his many fans.
1933–2009 (age 76)·American actor·Birthday: August 1·The Silent Generation
Biography
Dom DeLuise didn't just tell jokes; he was a living explosion of mirth. With a round face capable of a thousand elastic expressions and a voice that could shift from a whimper to a shriek of delight, he became a fixture of 1970s American comedy. His frequent appearances on Dean Martin's roasts and variety shows showcased his improvisational brilliance and willingness to be the butt of the joke. This made him the perfect collaborator for Mel Brooks, who cast him in a string of uproarious roles, from the greedy priest in 'History of the World, Part I' to the pathetically heroic Pizza the Hutt in 'Spaceballs'. His chemistry with Burt Reynolds was pure, affectionate chaos, leading to a series of box-office hits. In later years, his warm, booming voice gave life to beloved animated characters, and his passion for Italian cooking found a second act in successful cookbooks, proving his appetite for life was as large as his talent for laughter.
The Silent Generation
1928–1945
Born between the Depression and the end of WWII. Too young to fight, old enough to remember. They became the conformist middle managers of the 1950s — and the civil rights leaders who quietly dismantled Jim Crow.
Dom was born in 1933, placing them squarely in The Silent Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Dom Was Born
The biggest hits of 1933
#1 Movie
King Kong
Best Picture
Cavalcade
Dom's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1933Born
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1938Started school
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1946Became a teenager
United Nations holds its first General Assembly
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $5,150Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Prisoner of Love" — Perry ComoBest Picture: The Best Years of Our Lives
1949Could drive
NATO founded; Mao proclaims the People's Republic of China
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Riders in the Sky" — Vaughn MonroeBest Picture: All the King's Men
1951Could vote
First color TV broadcast in the US
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Too Young" — Nat King ColeBest Picture: An American in Paris
1954Turned 21
Brown v. Board of Education desegregates US schools
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $8,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Little Things Mean a Lot" — Kitty KallenBest Picture: On the Waterfront
1963Turned 30
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1973Turned 40
US withdraws from Vietnam; Roe v. Wade decided
Gas: $0.39/galHome: $22,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" — Tony Orlando & DawnBest Picture: The Sting
1983Turned 50
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1993Turned 60
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2003Turned 70
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2009Died at 76
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
Key Achievements
- Became a household name through recurring comedic roles in Mel Brooks films like 'Blazing Saddles', 'Silent Movie', and 'History of the World, Part I'.
- Formed a hugely popular on-screen partnership with Burt Reynolds, appearing in films such as 'The Cannonball Run' and 'Smokey and the Bandit II'.
- Authored several bestselling cookbooks, including 'Eat This... It'll Make You Feel Better!'.
- Voiced key characters in major animated films, including Tiger in 'An American Tail' and Itchy in 'All Dogs Go to Heaven'.
Did You Know?
He was a trained opera singer and studied at New York's prestigious Tufts College.
He met his wife, actress Carol Arthur, while performing in a summer stock production of 'The Student Gypsy'.
He was an accomplished chef and hosted his own cooking show, 'Cucina Amore', on PBS.
He was famously afraid of flying and would often travel by train or car for engagements.
“If you can make people laugh, you're already a success.”
