Dom DeLuise, the prolific actor, author and chef, famous for playing scene-stealing characters in movies such as Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs and Cannonball Run, died last night at the age of 75. While the cause of Dom’s death has not been confirmed, he had been battling cancer for over a year.

Throughout his long career on stage and screen, Dom often went beyond slapstick and took on more serious roles, including the 1980 dark comedy “Fatso,” directed by Mel Brooks’ wife, Anne Bancroft, in which he played an overweight man trying to fight his obsession with food.  Despite struggling with obesity himself, Dom also maintained a successful career as a tv chef and cookbook author.

I’ll always fondly remember Don’s frequent appearances on The Muppet Show.  He will be greatly missed.