Dom DeLuise - Captain Chaos!

 

"I became a comedian when they laughed at my serious acting."

Dom DeLuise is known for many roles, but for my generation, he will always be Captain Chaos, aka Victor Prinzim, from the Cannonball Run movies.  In fact, until I wrote this blog, I had completely forgotten the character's real name.

He was born Dominick DeLuise in New York City on August 1, 1933.  He later graduated from Tufts University in Massachusetts with a degree in biology, most say to please his father, a garbageman, but Dom had his sights set on Hollywood.

He got his start working in children's television in the New York City area, taking over the role of Tinker the Toymaker on Tinker's Workshop, a role vacated by future Captain Kangaroo star Bob Keeshan. 

From there, he moved on to the New York theatre scene, appearing in a number of off-Broadway productions, including All in Love and Around the World in 80 Days before taking on the Great White Way in such productions as Last of the Red Hot Lovers.

In 1981, Dom was cast with longtime friend Burt Reynolds in the first Cannonball Run movie.  It was a box-office success, which guaranteed the 1984 sequel.  Dom would also appear with Reynolds in several other films as well, including Smokey and the Bandit Part 2 (1980), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), and an often-forgotten film about suicide called The End (1978).

In 2008, Dom was diagnosed with cancer.  It ultimately took his life just one year later on May 4, 2009, while Dom was sound asleep.  He was 75 years old.

Dom was cremated.  His ashes were laid to rest in the family plot at Calvary Cemetery just outside New York City.

Rest in peace, Captain.

Trivia

• Dom was a prolific author, who released a number of cookbooks (go figure) as well as a series of children's books.  Check out his library on Amazon.
  
  
• Dom was a prolific voice-over artist as well, appearing in such film as All Dogs go to Heaven (1989).  For the VHS release of the film, Dom appeared in a special segment as himself for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.  Check it out on YouTube.
  
  
• Both Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend of The Who have recorded a song called After the Fire.  Both versions reference Dom.  Take a listen on YouTube - Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey.
  
  
• Dom worked with all three of his sons on a number of TV series, including Stargate SG-1, SeaQuest 2032, and Third Rock From the Sun, as well as the 1979 film Hot Stuff.
  
  
• Dom spoofed The Godfather in two films - Cannonball Run II (1984) and Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1991).