DICK MARTIN, the former co-host of popular comedy/variety show, "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In," has died, according to the Associated Press. He was 86.

The comedian and television director passed away from respiratory ailments on Saturday in Santa Monica, CA, surrounded by friends and family, the AP reports.

Martin, who rose to fame along with DAN ROWAN as the Rowan and Martin comedy team, presided over the wildly popular "Laugh-In" for five years. He also appeared as a regular on "The Lucy Show," and later went on to direct such television shows as "Newhart," "Family Ties" and "In the Heat of the Night."