HOLLYWOOD ICON DOM DELUISE DEAD AT 75

****
THE PASCHA'S CORNER
****

Dom Deluise

I remember meeting Dom Deluise on the set of the 1999 My X-Girlfriend’s Wedding aka Wedding Band. It was a wacky comedy where choas ensured during a marriage ceremony for almost everybody there. Deluise played Father O’Rdeal. The name kind of summed up everything. Starring as well in the movie was Deborah (Debbie Gibson), Mo Gaffney, Kelly Bishop, and, the director Martin Guigui … which best describes the atmosphere of the cast … everyone pitching in wherever they could. It was an indie-pic … with a definitive indie-spirit throughout. If I recall correctly we filmed somewhere out on Long Island on a lavish estate, replete with bustling trees and idyllic lakes. It really was a paradise. It might not have been a Ron Howard-set in Italy, but it was very definitely footloose and fancy free. Mr. Deluise kept everyone is stitches for pretty much the entire shoot. Reminiscing about his career and acquaintances … he was a constant source of enthusiasm. Let us not forget that Dom’s filmography included such classics as 1974’s BLAZING SADDLES; 1987’s SEXTETTE; 1971’s brilliant WHO IS HARRY KELLERMAN AND WHY IS HE SAYING THOSE TERIBLE THINGS ABOUT ME; Brook’s SPACEBALLS; 1968’s THE DOM DELUISE SHOW on TV; CANNONBALL RUN 1,2 and THE END with good pal BURT REYNOLDS; 1980’s FATSO; 1976’s SILENT MOVIE; and, SMOKEY & THE BANDIT 2 ... and, many, many more. Appearances in such TV staples, as THE MUNSTERS; THE GIRL FROM UNCLE; AMAZING STORIES; SEA QUEST DSV; and 21 JUMP STREET with his son Peter, only added to his stellar repartee. Deluise made everything he appeared in better. He’ll be missed not only by the people he met and whose lives he brightened, but by his vast fan base. He was a classic!

UPDATE: We just spoke to Deborah Gibson about Dom. She said, " "Dom was an amazing guy and so hilarious. I did a film with him and all of the actors would ruin takes because he would crack us all up. He would eat dinner with the extras on set and made those actors all feel so appreciated and respected. His legacy lives on in his amazing body of work and great family who I have also had the privilege of working with"
Photo By: Walter McBride/Retna