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Dom DeLuise

Dom DeLuise

Appeared with all three of his sons--Peter DeLuise, Michael DeLuise and David DeLuise--and wife Carol Arthur in Hot Stuff (1979).

As magician Dominick the Great, he had an assistant, the Gypsy Shegundela (performed by the lantern-jawed Ruth Buzzi). When performing a magic trick, Dom would caution the audience, "No applause-a, please. Save-a for-a the end." Since none of his "magic" ever worked without being patently obvious (or being exposed by Shegundela), applause for the tricks was never forthcoming.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 134-135. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387.

Briefly served as the fourth and last host/performer and instructor on "Tinker's Workshop" (1954) on WJZ/WABC TV Ch. 7 NYC's weekday mornings from 1958 to Friday August 22, 1958. He also appeared on Shari Lewis' "The Shari Lewis Show" (1960) (as bumbling private eye Kenny Ketcham) on NBC TV Saturday mornings from October, 1960 to September, 1962, and on "The Charlie Horse Music Pizza" (1998) (as Cookie) on PBS TV weekday mornings from 1996 to 1998.

Broke into show business and TV in the late 1950s in kids shows. In 1958, he took over the role of Tinker the Toymaker in daytime TV's "Tinker's Workshop" (1954), which originally starred the show's creator and first host, Robert Keeshan, better known later as "Captain Kangaroo.".



Father-in-law of actress Anne Marie DeLuise.

Former father-in-law of Gina Nemo.

Frequently co-starred with good friend Burt Reynolds.

Godmother of his son David DeLuise was Anne Bancroft.

Graduated from the School of Performing Arts in Manhattan. At one point, he wanted to be come a teacher, which led him to enroll at Tufts College to study biology.

Had hip replacement surgery in 1993.

Has spoofed The Godfather (1972) in two movies Cannonball Run II (1984) as Don Canneloni and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) as Don Giovanni.

He and all three of his sons -- Peter DeLuise, Michael DeLuise and David DeLuise -- all appeared in various episodes of "Stargate SG-1" (1997). Peter was also one of the series' producers and directors.

He had three grandchildren. David's daughters Riley DeLuise and Dylan and Peter's son Jake (b. 2004).

He is mentioned in the song "After The Fire" written by The Who guitarist Pete Townshend, simply stating "...while I was laughing at Dom DeLuise".

He was the author of two children's books: "Charlie The Caterpillar" and "Goldie Locks & The Three Bears: The Real Story!".

Highly regarded as a chef, he has published two books of his favorite Italian recipes, "Eat This!" and "Eat This, Too!"

His comedy idol was Jackie Gleason.

His father was a garbage collector who spoke only Italian.

His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is at 1777 Vine Street.

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