Mel is nuts. He puts on a suit and a tie and acts like a normal person so people think he's okay. He's definitely out in left field. He's got the ambition of a boy.

Brooks' late wife actress Anne Bancroft directed Dom in Fatso (1980). He suffered from cancer for more than a year prior to his death. DeLuise was Roman Catholic and had a particular affinity for the Virgin Mary.

Dominick "Dom" DeLuise (August 1 1933 – May 4 2009) was an American actor comedian film director television producer chef and author. He starred in a number of movies directed by Mel Brooks in a series of films with career-long best friend Burt Reynolds and as a voice actor in various animated films by Don Bluth. He was the husband of actress Carol Arthur from 1965 until his death and the father of actor director pianist and writer Peter DeLuise actor David DeLuise and actor Michael DeLuise.