Actor and Comedian Dom DeLuise Dead at 75

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Dom DeLuise, who spiced up such movies as "Blazing Saddles," "Silent Movie" and "The Cannonball Run" with his manic delivery and roly-poly persona, has died, his son's publicist told CNN.

Publicist Jay Schwartz did not disclose the cause of death, but DeLuise, 75, had been battling cancer for more than a year.

DeLuise was surrounded by family when he died in a Santa Monica, California, hospital Monday night, son Michael DeLuise told CNN affiliate KTLA-TV.

This is very sad. I honestly dreaded this day. My memories of DeLuise performances include his hillarious role in The Twelve Chairs, History of the World Part 1, and an appearance on The Muppet Show. The world has lost a great comedian.

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