 Despite his failing health, Benny made several appearances on "The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast" in his final 18 months, roasting Ronald Reagan, Johnny Carson, Bob Hope and Lucille Ball, in addition to himself being roasted in February 1974.The Lucille Ball roast, his last public performance, aired on February 7, 1975, several weeks after his death.In October 1974, Benny cancelled a performance in Dallas after suffering a dizzy spell, coupled with numbness in his arms.