RIP Dom DeLuise

One of my favourite films of all time:



My favourite actors are often those who work in an ensemble: the Christopher Guest/ Harry Shearer/ Catherine O'Hara crew; the early Woody - Diane Keaton - Tony Roberts brigade, but my first and most favoured are those Mel Brooks Mischief Makers: Madeleine Kahn, Harvey Korman, Marty Feldman ... and a big beautiful bear of a man sadly lost to us on May 4th. (And thanks to Spaceballs, May the fourth always be with him ...)

Not only was Dom DeLuise a comic genius in his own right (Silent Movie, History of the World, Part One), but he left a wonderful legacy to the world in the form of his sons Peter (readers of a certain age may remember him as Johnny Depp's partner-in-preventing-crime-while-looking-young in 21 Jump Street) and the lesser known Michael (Jess' stepfather on Gilmore Girls) and David (one of Dick's students in 3rd Rock From The Sun). Unlike Baldwins, there can never be enough DeLuises in the Holly 'hood.

Also touching is the statement released by his family: "It's easy to mourn his death, but easier to remember a time when he made you laugh." That's how I try to recall my main (funny, burly, bearded) man. Hoping that Dom and my dad are sharing a few giggles and guffaws somewhere fabulous.

xxx