Dom DeLuise died in his sleep last night at the age of 75.
DeLuise passed away around 6:00 p.m in a Los Angeles hospital.
The Golden Globe-nominated actor is best known for his comedic work in Mel Brooks films, and also co-starred in the films “Cannonball Run,” “Smokey and The Bandit 2” and “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” with Burt Reynolds.
Reynolds was contacted by ETonline and gave the following statement:
“I was thinking the other day about this. As you get older you think about this more and more, I was dreading this moment. Dom always made everyone feel better when he was around. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. I will miss him very much.”
DeLuise also hosted the popular TV show “Candid Camera” from 1991-1992, and was an avid cook and author, penning several cooking guides and children’s books.
photo: WENN