David DeLuise

Possessing his late father's goofball charm and comedic talent, David DeLuise delivered "Everyman" likeability to his body of work. The son of legendary comedian Dom DeLuise, the actor began his career as a supporting player in film and on television, often working with his father or equally talented brothers.

DeLuise branched out on his own with lead roles in independent comedies and landing a recurring story arc on "Stargate SG-1" (Showtime, 1997-2002; The Sci-Fi Channel, 2002-06). His previous experience as a sidekick and comic relief prepared DeLuise for one of his biggest onscreen characters - as a wizard and father of three teenagers on the hit Disney Channel series "Wizards of Waverly Place" (2007-11). The actor embraced his fatherly role on the award-winning show with equal parts humor and conviction, both of which helped him earn a place amongst television's most endearing dads.

David Dominick DeLuise was born on Nov. 11, 1971 in Burbank, CA to a prominent acting family. His father, Dom DeLuise, was a well-loved comedian who appeared in Mel Brooks' films such as "Blazing Saddles" (1974), and often played sidekick to Burt Reynolds in movies like "The Cannonball Run" (1981). His mother Carol Arthur acted in films and had supporting roles on various television shows. His older brothers were "21 Jump Street" (Fox, 1987-1991) star Peter DeLuise and "NYPD Blue" (ABC, 1993-2005) regular Michael DeLuise.

The youngest member of the DeLuise clan ¬- who battled and overcame weight issues as well as dyslexia growing up - began his career by working alongside his father, who directed him in the buddy-cop comedy "Hot Stuff" (1979) and the TV movie "Happy" (CBS, 1983). In 1990, DeLuise made a cameo on his brother Peter's show "21 Jump Street," a crime drama series that launched the careers of Johnny Depp and Holly Robinson Peete.

DeLuise spent several years as a supporting player on a variety of TV shows that featured everything from superheroes like "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (ABC, 1993-97), to extraterrestrial beings on "3rd Rock from the Sun" (NBC, 1996-2001), to bombshells like Pamela Anderson on "V.I.P." (1998-2002). He was cast in his first leading role in the romantic comedy "BachelorMan" (2003). In the film, DeLuise played a charming single man who never had a problem wooing the ladies - until the right one came along.

Having proven his ability to carry a film, DeLuise went back to series television work. He had recurring roles on hit primetime shows such as the feel-good family drama "Gilmore Girls" (The WB, 2000-07) and the sci-fi epic "Stargate SG-1," where he played a divorced police detective. One of DeLuise's most recognizable projects was actually a TV commercial for Purina's Beneful line of dog food that showed him making goofy faces at and jumping in a pool with his adorable pet canine.

In 2007, DeLuise landed one of the biggest roles of his career on the Disney Channel's "Wizards of Waverly Place." The actor played the patriarch of an Italian-Mexican family living in New York City who run a restaurant but also happen to possess magical powers. Playing DeLuise's gifted children on "Wizards" were a trio of young talents - David Henrie, Jake T. Austin and Selena Gomez, who was the show's breakout star.

Gomez went on to have a successful film and music career, but it was her hilarious onscreen father-daughter banter with DeLuise on "Wizards" that captivated audiences of all ages. The show was both a commercial and critical hit, earning an Emmy Award in 2009 for Outstanding Children's Program. It was nominated in the same category the following year. DeLuise returned to feature film work in 2010 with a minor role in the supernatural genre spoof, "Vampires Suck."