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Legendary insult comic Don Rickles, known to his fans as “Mr. Warmth,” has died at the age of 90.
Rickles died of kidney failure in his Los Angeles home on Thursday, our sister site Variety reports. The news was confirmed by his publicist Paul Schrifin.
The comedian is perhaps best known for his frequent appearances on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, which ran on NBC throughout the 1970s and ’80s, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. He was also the star of the sitcom CPO Sharkey, which ran from 1976-78, and the short-lived Don Rickles Show in 1972. Additional TV credits included Daddy Dearest and Foul-Ups, Bleeps and Blunders.
In film, Rickles is perhaps best known for voicing Mr. Potato Head in the Toy Story trilogy, and he appeared in 1995’s Casino. He also made an unforgettable appearance at President Ronald Reagan’s second inauguration in 1985.
Rickles was the subject of his own roast of sorts — One Night Only: An All-Star Comedy Tribute to Don Rickles — which aired on Spike in 2014. Back in March, AARP Studios announced Dinner With Don, a 10-episode unscripted series featuring Rickles dining with famous friends, including Billy Crystal, Robert De Niro, Jimmy Kimmel, Amy Poehler and Martin Scorsese. A premiere date has not yet been announced.
Rickles most recently appeared on TV as part of the NBC special Tony Bennett Celebrates 90: The Best Is Yet to Come, back in December. He made his last talk show appearance back in October, when he appeared alongside close friend John Stamos on Jimmy Kimmel Live (embedded below).
RIP
politically incorrect humor is now dead.
I know that Bianca Del Rio has stated numerous times that Rickles is a source of inspiration for her type of humor. Just glad insult comedy is still alive and well. Rickles was truly a master of the craft.
I was fortunate enough to see Rickles in Vegas at the height of his career. His comedic talent and perfect timing were a joy to watch. I’m sure he and Johnny (Carson) are yukking it up right about now. RIP Mr. Rickles.
RIP
RIP
RIP
I had the pleasure of meeting him. The legendary insult comic was actually a very sweet guy off-stage.
RIP, Mr. Rickles
My favorite Rickles memory was when he played a robber on the old Dick Van Dyke show, trying to hold up a pregnant Laura Petrie in an elevator with a comb. When Rob chuckled at his name, Rickles replied , “Yeah, Lyle Francis Delp; ya wanna make something out of it?”
RIP Don,my dad is waiting for you in heaven
You will always be remembered.
RIP. He will be missed.
RIP Mr. Warmth, you will be missed.
R I P
Absolute legend. I shall watch his Get Smart episodes tonight after The Masters in his honor.
He was very funny an will be missed. R I P
What makes (or made) Rickles funny is that he never fails to catch a fly ball. He sees the comic opening in ordinary banter. It’s not so much his insults as his reactivity, his preparedness.