I had the great pleasure to watch him open for Sinatra in San Diego in the early 90's. There will never be anybody like Don Rickles ever again.
So there you are tubby, you look like a bucket of lard on a bad day. You baby gorilla, you're swelling up as I talk to you.
Dirty Work is an all-time favorite. "Why don't you move to a cave and stop bothering people, huh?"
They said that they're down to only five flavors.
You're swelling up as I talk to you....
I stop to watch this movie every time it's on.
RIP, good sir.
He was on the Howard Stern show once in Stern's shock-jock prime. Back then, Stern could be ruthless on people. Lots of folks were afraid of him.
Rickles absolutely destroyed Stern. His quick, sarcastic, biting wit had Stern stammering for comebacks he could not come up with.
And the whole time, Rickles was funny as hell while he was doing it.
I had never heard anybody put Howard Stern in his place like that before or since.
and his celebrity roasts. Here's a bit from the man himself. This is a great bit, especially when Dean Martin interupts Don Rickles mid joke just before the 2 minute mark.
Great shot by Dean; excellent backhand return by Rickles.
Thanks for sharing this video clip. I had forgotten about the Dean Martin roasts and how many famous people would be a part of them. Great memories.
Very sharp-witted guy, and edgy for his time.
is pure Rickles!
Hey Frank, make yourself at home. Hit somebody!
You mean when you became a teenager last year?
For those of us in the Medicare Generation who remember when Johnny Carson began his run as host of The Tonight Show on NBC, Don Rickles' apperances on that show and his many appearances on Dean Martin's Celebrity Roasts often were great moments in comedy.
There are numerous YouTube tributes to his career before he became the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the "Toy Story" films. Not many people know that he first wanted to be a dramatic actor. If you have a chance to see it, I recommend "Kelly's Heroes" a 1970 film in which Rickles starred with Clint Eastwood, Donald Sutherland, Telly Savalas and Carroll O'Connor.
Does Oddball know about the Tigers??
One of the greats. His equal in this day and age would be Dave Chappelle. Their willingness to cross racial, religious, poitical, and other boundaries is an art unto itself, they make it look easy.
I loved that he never discriminated, everyone was fair game. I also loved that when the jokes were over, he always....*always* completely humbled himself before the host or honoree of the event and said something meaningful and heartfelt. In a way, contextualizing all the comments that had come before that moment. I will miss him.
Yes on the last paragraph. He would rip you to shreds and then end with a bunch of salutations that were genuine! It was great.
I have actually fallen down laughing a couple times in my life, & Mr Rickles did it to me once, for which I'll always be grateful .... He was on the Tonight Show many years ago, toward the end of Johnny Carson's time. He had already been "interviewed" by Johnny, and so the 2nd Guest was "on" & was sitting in the interview chair next to Johnny. Rickles was sitting to the guests right, on the overflow couch. The Guest, she was a young-ish actress & I cannot recall her name, well she was telling a story to Johnny. It turns out the story wasn't very funny, & so at it's conclusion, Johnny & a few sparse members of the audience politely chuckled. Not Rickles. The camera swung over to him & he looked into the camera, & with an expressionless poker face said "now THAT was a great story".... I cracked up for several minutes, rolling around on my living room floor :):):) Dude was fearless.
and I'm continually confused at those who would downvote an original post like this, even if they don't like the OP himself.
Some of you people need to grow the fuck up.
Rickles - despite most of his greatest work really being before my time - and Robin Williams were probably my 2 favorites. Despite totally different styles "insult comic" vs "all over the map" guy. So a big void here the past few years. /sigh
You never know these people off stage but Rickles would really warm up to these younger generation hosts and give them tons of kudos as he began his appearances. He seemed to really hit it off with Jimmy Kimmel in particular.
Here is Rickles infamous Reagan roast (he did it when he was the CA governor too) but this was as president.
Webster with the mic drop
lol
First black kid to never play basketball.....can't quit laughing!!!! Definitely one of the all time greats!!!!
Very sad day indeed.
Loved when he went on David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel. Loved his books, also.
RIP Mr. Warmth, Bullethead
RIP ya hockey puck.
The reference was brilliance in Toy Story.
Lost a all time great. Always enjoyed watching him, he was a very funny man for sure.
Damn this sucks!
You finally insulted The Man big time and he's called you home for a consultation and correction. No doubt you'll have Him laughing in stitches very quickly. I remember as a kid laying on the floor in front of the TV with half the neighborhood in our living room and everybody was cracking up when you defied convention and attacked just about every living person including your hosts. We all enjoyed your schtick you hilarious schmuck and, by accounts, you were a very good human being too. Peace.