American comedy actor Dom DeLuise dies at 75

The roly-poly Italian-American comedy actor Dom DeLuise, whose slapstick style and bug-eyed looks won him endless roles in TV and film, has died at the age of 75 in hospital in Santa Monica, California. He had high blood pressure and diabetes, a family spokesman said.

DeLuise, who modeled his physical style of humour on that of his idol Jackie Gleason, was best-known worldwide for his performances in Mel Brooks comedies such as Blazing Saddles (1974) – in which he played the effeminate director Buddy Bizarre - and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993). Director Brooks said yesterday: "Dom DeLuise was a big man in every way. He was big in size and created big laughter and joy. He will be missed in a very big way."

Another favourite comedy sparring partner was Gene Wilder, with whom he appeared in several films, including The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975), which Wilder directed. "He kept the whole crew laughing, not just with his acting but also between takes,” Wilder wrote in his 2005 memoir, Kiss Me Like a Stranger: "He was the funniest man, in person, that I've ever known."

Also on the portly actor's CV were a series of famous comedic performances alongside Burt Reynolds in films like Smokey and the Bandit II in 1980, Cannonball Run in 1981, and animated film All Dogs go to Heaven in 1989. "Dom always made you feel better when he was around," said Reynolds, "and there will never be another like him. I never heard him say an unkind word about anyone. I will miss him very much."

DeLuise was also a well-known television personality, first as a bumbling Italian magician Dominick the Great on The Garry Moore Show in the 1960s and later providing the voices for children’s characters in TV series such as All Dogs go to Heaven: The Series and Hercules. At one stage in the 1960s, he even hosted Candid Camera.

Later in life, he turned to writing, bringing out a series of Italian cook books and several children's stories including Charlie the Caterpillar and Goldie Locks and the Three Bears: The Real Story!. "It's easy to mourn his death, but easier to remember a time when he made you laugh," DeLuise’s family have said.

DeLuise was married only once, to the actress Carol Arthur in 1963. The couple had three sons together, all of whom went on to become actors.