Comedian Dick Capri passed away in his sleep at the age of 93 in the early hours of Thursday, December 26.
The late star was able to celebrate Christmas with his family in Florida, his son Jeff said. TMZ after confirming the death of his father.
Before his passing, Capri had been diagnosed with an enlarged bleeding aorta, but due to his age, doctors were unable to operate on him.
However, Dick continued to live his life to the fullest, even though his time was limited, and enjoyed the holiday season with Jeff, his daughter-in-law and life partner. He was also able to Facetime with loved ones who couldn’t travel to Florida.
The actor, who worked alongside stars including Frank Sinatra and Tom Jones over the course of his successful career, enjoyed a meal at his favorite restaurant on Christmas Day before going to bed and dying in his sleep.
As his family mourns the loss of Capri, his son Jeff told TMZ, “The world isn’t as fun today as it was yesterday.”
Comedian Dick Capri passed away in his sleep at the age of 93 early Thursday, December 26; seen in 2014 in New York
Dick – whose full name is Richard Capri – was born in the town of Reading in Pennsylvania.
His first step into the world of comedy began while working at his father’s grocery store, where he performed comic mimes for customers, according to the late star. official website.
The actor left his job in the market to focus on comedy full-time before establishing a decades-long career in the entertainment industry.
He rose to fame when he began touring with singer Engelbert Humperdinck in 1973 as a comedy attraction.
Capri also worked alongside other celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones and Liza Minnelli.
He later had the opportunity to perform for two American presidents: Gerald Ford and George Bush.
Dick also showcased his comedic skills on stage at iconic venues such as Radio City Music Hall and the Minskoff Theater in New York City, as well as MGM’s Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.
It also made audiences laugh in other countries and stopped at the London Palladium in the United Kingdom.
The late star was able to celebrate Christmas with his family in Florida, his son Jeff told TMZ after confirming his father’s death; seen in 1998 in New York
As his family mourns the loss of Capri, his son Jeff told TMZ: ‘The world is not as fun today as it was yesterday; Jeff and Dick seen together
In 1991, Capri made her Broadway debut in the show Catskills On Broadway, which ran for a total of 14 months before touring throughout the United States.
Dick, who wrote most of his own material, also participated in a special for Comedy Central titled New York Friars Club Roast In Honor Of Drew Cary.
He also made appearances on The Tonight Show, The Merv Griffin Show and also Toast Of The Town.
Capri’s comedic skills have been described as having a “style firmly based in the Borsht Belt.”
He also “used his Italian heritage and unique style of mixing comedy and mime, clearly distinguishing him from the traditional comedian,” according to the star’s official website.
“His unique style features a measured and deliberate delivery and his material is sharp and current.”
“This mix of comedy clearly distinguishes him from traditional comedians,” the description continued.
Capri rose to fame when he began touring with singer Engelbert Humperdinck in 1973 as a comedy attraction; Humperdinck and Tom Jones seen above in 1969
Capri’s comedic skills were described as having a “style firmly based on the Borsht belt” and he “used his Italian heritage and unique delivery to mix comedy and mime, clearly distinguishing him from the traditional comedian”; seen in 2007 in New York
Capri also starred in films such as They Still Call Me Bruce (1987), Bittersweet Place (2005), and One Angry Man (2010).
His son, Jeff, followed in his father’s footsteps and also pursued a career in comedy.
He has performed at various clubs and comedy events and notably traveled to Iraq to entertain US troops in 2003.
Jeff made appearances in Comics Unleashed, Last Comic Standing, and Ed McMahon’s Next Big Star. In 2020, he released the comedy special Dry Bar: Capricious.