Dom DeLuise's Funniest Film Roles (VIDEO)

Dom DeLuise, a comedy great, died Monday night after a long illness. He is survived by sons Michael, Peter and David, and dozens of hilarious films. His most memorable performances were often in the hands of writer-director-actor Mel Brooks who cast him in "The Twelve Chairs," "Blazing Saddles," "Silent Movie," "History of the World Part I," "Spaceballs," and "Robin Hood: Men in Tights." Here are some of his most memorable film roles from an expansive career...

BLAZING SADDLES (1974) DeLuise played Buddy Bizarre, a musical director whose set is interrupted by the fight between the townsfolk and Lamarr's army of thugs. It's one of the few times you see him dancing, which is (obviously) hilarious.

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CANNONBALL RUN (1981) DeLuise played Victor Prinzim, a mild-mannered mechanic with a crazed alter-ego named "Captain Chaos." We meet Victor about 4 minutes into this clip when he explains to Burt Reynolds that "Hamsters are a big responsibility."

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ROBIN HOOD MEN IN TIGHTS (1993) DeLuise played Don Giovanni, a godfather-esque character from New Jersey hired to assassinate Robin Hood. His send-up of Marlon Brando is priceless, as is his intentional thickness.

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SPACEBALLS (1987) DeLuise played "Pizza the Hut," an edible villain in this "Star Wars" spoof. This performance haunted me as a child.

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HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART I (1981) DeLuise played Emperor Nero as a flatulent buffoon, jaded by wealth and women, in this historical farce. Eventually he orders Mel Brooks's character killed for mocking him in a comedy routine.

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FATSO (1980) DeLuise played Dominick DiNapoli, a man who loves to eat but gets scared into dieting when an overweight cousin dies. He ends up falling for a lady who takes his mind off his love of food, but in this scene we see what happens when he's challenged over bread.

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Comments

[dreadylocks]

Thank you for including Fatso! It's not the best movie but it's a gem. And the directorial shortcomings can be forgiven because it was written and directed by the late great Anne Bancroft :)

[RevBookburn]

Dom in History of the World, Part 1 (photographed at the top of this article) was a timeless classic. He truly was a legend. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta

[legshaker]

One of the best comedy performances caught on film, of ANYONE, is Dom DeLuise's performance as an inmate at a sanitarium in "The End".

[jdmn17]

Twelve chairs, one of his best efforts, the scene behind the drapes one of my faves

[Dukedraven]

I agree. "The End" was Dom's funniest role. I'll always fondly remember the silly movies he was in during the '60s too.

[adelphi sky]

I grew up on History of the World Part I. lol Still waiting on Part II though.

[lisakaz2]

RIP Dom. Quite a funny guy. I kept thinking of the "Men in Tights" scene. Buona sera, Dom.

[FROGi]

RIP

[dvsinla]

fatso was a terrific small film. he was great. dramatic and sad and funny. anne bancroft directed him in it. mel brooks wife. she died a few years ago.

also hot stuff. a funny little comedy about cops going undercover, taking over a pawn shop to catch criminals selling stolen merchandise.

[jdw1981]

How about the 1994 thriller/spoof "The Silence of the Hams" (Il Silenzio de Prosciutti)? Yeah, he made low-budget crap movies too. But sometimes I love low-budget crap movies..

[sekigahara]

He's been described as a sweet man, hilarious, professional, and talented. Lord knows he always made me crack a smile or just laugh my butt off. I remember spotting him in Fail Safe long after I'd seen him in some of the Brooks films and thinking there's serious talent there - straight role and convincing. Believable. I've always enjoyed seeing him on the screen and my guess is had I known him I would have liked him as well. If there is a place called, "Heaven" it's reserved for the likes of Dom DeLuise. RIP.

[Stagehnd1]

HAHAHAHahaha...I love Blazing Saddles!!

[fleaba]

To this day, those outtakes at the end of Cannonball Run are some of the funniest. Ever. He and Burt Reynolds laughing and giggling so hard they can't even talk. It's hilarious.

[sheilaofmiami]

My G-d have a good laugh with this amazing talent.

[Steven Anderson]

Dom was a super guy and very funny. I met him Santa Barbara when he was filming The End with Burt. He was very humble and treated you like he was your friend while really not knowing each other. Going to miss you Dom!