Don Rickles life and biography

Don Rickles is an American stand-up comedian and actor. A frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Rickles has acted in comedic and dramatic roles, but is best known as an insult comic.

After the Golden Era of Hollywood ended, Don Rickles is one man still living to tell his tales. One of the most respected talents in entertainment, Rickles got his start in the night clubs, toiling for over 20 years, until 1958, when Don made his film debut in Run Silent Run Deep (1958). The movie was a big hit. Afterward, Rickles continued acting, starring in films like X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes (1963), Bikini Beach (1964), Enter Laughing (1967), and Kelly's Heroes (1970). In 1973, Don became a regular on Dean Martin's Celebrity Roasts. From 1973 until 1984, Don appeared frequently on Dean's show, paying tribute to some of his friends, like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and was even the roast master on the roast for Dean Martin himself. In 1976, Don his own TV series "C.P.O. Sharkey" (1976), which enjoyed a two year run. After 1984, Don began taking it easy, appearing in a few minor film roles. But in 1995, Don made a big comeback, appearing with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen in Toy Story (1995) in the role of the grouchy Mr. Potato Head. In 1999, he returned as Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story 2 (1999).

Rickles has been married for more than 45 years to his wife, Barbara, who hails from Philadelphia. They have a daughter Mindy, a son Larry, and two grandchildren, Ethan and Harrison Mann. According to Rickles' memoir, his grandchildren are much more impressed by his role as "Mr. Potato Head" than by any of his other achievements. Rickles is a life-long Democrat. However, he performed at the inaugurations of Republican presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush with his friend Frank Sinatra.

Rickles considers comedian Bob Newhart to be his best friend. Rickles, Newhart, and their wives often vacation together. Rickles and Newhart appeared together on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on January 24, 2005, the Monday following Johnny Carson's death, reminiscing about their many guest appearances on Carson's show, including footage of the "cigarette box incident".

Filmography:

The J-K Conspiracy (2004) (documentary)
The Aristocrats (2005) (documentary)
The Last Laugh (2006) (documentary)
Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project (2007) (documentary)
Toy Story 3 (2010) (voice)
Hawaiian Vacation (2011) (voice)
Zookeeper (2011) (voice)

Selected television work:

Jimmy Kimmel Live (2009)
Jimmy Kimmel Live (2010)
Late Show with David Letterman (2010)
Tonight Show with Jay Leno (2010)
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2010)
Jimmy Kimmel Live (2011)
Late Show with David Letterman (2011)
Jimmy Kimmel Live (2011)
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno (2011)
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2011)

Discography:

Hello Dummy! (1968)
Don Rickles Speaks! (1969)

Books:

Rickles' Book: A Memoir by Don Rickles with David Ritz (Simon & Schuster, 2007)
Rickles' Letters by Don Rickles with David Ritz (Simon & Schuster, 2008)

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