Dom DeLuise Net Worth

Dom DeLuise was an American actor, comedian, voice actor, director, producer, chef, and author who had an estimated net worth of $9 million at the time of his death in 2009. Renowned for his infectious humor, larger-than-life personality, and memorable collaborations with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, DeLuise enjoyed a career that spanned more than five decades.

He became a household name through his work in blockbuster comedies alongside longtime friends Mel Brooks and Burt Reynolds, while also earning acclaim as a bestselling cookbook author, television personality, and prolific voice actor. His versatility across film, television, theater, publishing, and animation helped him build lasting wealth and an enduring legacy in entertainment.

Early Life

Dominick DeLuise was born on August 1, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, to Italian-American parents John and Jennie DeLuise. He grew up alongside his older siblings, Nicholas and Antoinette, in a close-knit family.

DeLuise attended the High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan before enrolling at Tufts University in Massachusetts, where he studied biology. Although he initially pursued academics, his passion for performing ultimately led him to a career in entertainment.

Early Career

DeLuise began acting professionally at 18, making his paid stage debut in the production Bernie’s Christmas Wish. He later joined the Cleveland Play House, where he worked as both an actor and stage manager from 1952 to 1954.

During the early 1960s, he established himself in New York theater, appearing in off-Broadway productions including All in Love, Another Evening with Harry Stoons, Half-Past Wednesday, Around the World in 80 Days, The Student Gypsy, and Here’s Love.

His television career also began to flourish with appearances on The Garry Moore Show and The Dean Martin Show, where his improvisational skills and physical comedy quickly made him a fan favorite.

Hollywood Breakthrough

Although DeLuise occasionally accepted dramatic roles—including a part in the Cold War thriller Fail-Safe (1964)—he found his greatest success in comedy.

His supporting performance in the Doris Day comedy The Glass Bottom Boat (1966) attracted positive reviews and helped establish him as one of Hollywood’s most dependable comedic performers.

In 1968, CBS gave him his own variety series, The Dom DeLuise Show. While the program had a relatively short run, it further elevated his profile and eventually led to his starring role in the sitcom Lotsa Luck, which aired from 1973 to 1974.

Working With Mel Brooks

One of the defining partnerships of DeLuise’s career was his long-running collaboration with legendary filmmaker Mel Brooks.

He appeared in several Brooks classics, including:

• The Twelve Chairs
• Blazing Saddles
• Silent Movie
• History of the World, Part I
• Spaceballs
• Robin Hood: Men in Tights

His energetic comedic style and impeccable timing made him one of Brooks’ most trusted collaborators, contributing to some of the most beloved comedy films ever made.

Partnership With Burt Reynolds

Away from Brooks’ productions, DeLuise shared a close personal friendship with Burt Reynolds that translated into numerous successful films.

The duo co-starred in several popular movies, including:

• The Cannonball Run
• Cannonball Run II
• Smokey and the Bandit II
• The End
• The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

Their natural chemistry became one of the hallmarks of 1980s Hollywood comedy.

Voice Acting Success

DeLuise also became one of animation’s most recognizable voices.

He frequently collaborated with animator Don Bluth, lending his voice to classics such as:

• The Secret of NIMH
• An American Tail
• All Dogs Go to Heaven
• A Troll in Central Park

Disney audiences also remember him as the voice of Fagin in Oliver & Company, one of the studio’s most beloved animated films.

His distinctive voice made him a favorite choice for family-friendly animated features throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

Television, Writing and Culinary Career

Beyond acting, DeLuise remained active across multiple forms of entertainment.

He hosted Candid Camera between 1991 and 1992 and later appeared regularly on Burke’s Law.

An accomplished cook, he authored several bestselling cookbooks and frequently shared recipes and cooking advice on television and radio. He also wrote seven children’s books, further expanding his creative career beyond Hollywood.

His passion for food became nearly as well known as his acting career.

Real Estate

Real estate became one of the most valuable assets in DeLuise’s estate.

In 1968, he and his wife Carol purchased a home in Pacific Palisades, California, for approximately $103,000. The property remained in the family for years after his death before being sold in late 2021 for approximately $6.5 million.

The family also retained DeLuise’s custom-built Malibu beachfront home, completed in 1980. That oceanfront property sold in 2021 for $10.5 million, meaning the family’s two California home sales generated roughly $17 million combined.

Personal Life

While performing in summer theater in Provincetown, Massachusetts, DeLuise met actress Carol Arthur in 1964. They married the following year and remained together for the rest of his life.

The couple had three sons—Peter, Michael, and David DeLuise—all of whom pursued acting careers.

Despite his Hollywood success, DeLuise was widely admired for his devotion to his family and often worked alongside his wife and children throughout his career.

Death

Dom DeLuise passed away on May 4, 2009, at the age of 75. He died in his sleep at a Santa Monica hospital after battling kidney failure. Prior to his death, he had also faced cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

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