Who Is Don Rickles? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on May 8, 1926, in New York City, New York, Don Rickles was an iconic American comedian and actor renowned for his sharp wit and insult comedy. His career spanned several decades, earning him the title of “Mr. Warmth” for his uniquely humorous approach to insult comedy. Rickles passed away on April 6, 2017, but his impact on the world of entertainment continues to resonate.
| Occupation | Stand-up Comedians |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 8, 1926 |
| Age | 90 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 6 April, 2017 |
| Died Place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Don Rickles's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While exact measurements are not always publicly available for stars from earlier decades, Don Rickles was known to stand at approximately 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 meters) tall. His weight fluctuated throughout his career, as is common for many performers, but he was generally known to maintain a fit physique throughout his life.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Don Rickles was married to his beloved wife, Barbara Sklar, for over 50 years until his death. The couple tied the knot in 1965 and had two daughters, Mindy and Lauren. His dedication to family was evident, and he was known for his loving relationship with Barbara, often expressing her importance in his life during interviews.
On May 8, 2006, on his 80th birthday, Simon & Schuster released his memoir titled Rickles' Book. Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project, a documentary about Rickles directed by John Landis, made its debut on HBO on December 2, 2007.
Rickles won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program, besting a number of notable comics, including David Letterman, Jon Stewart, and Stephen Colbert. Rickles remarked, "Stephen Colbert's a funny man, but he's too young.
He has got plenty of time to win awards, but this may be my last year and I think that I made it count. On second thought, it was probably just a mercy award for an old man." In 2009, Rickles appeared on Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List and met Griffin's mother Maggie to fulfill one item on Maggie's "bucket list".
In 2010, he appeared in a commercial during Super Bowl XLIV as a talking rose, and appeared on the 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on CBS TV on June 27, 2010.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Don Rickles had an estimated net worth of around $30 million. His wealth was accrued through decades of touring, television appearances, film roles, and his legendary stand-up comedy performances. He was also known for his frequent guest spots on shows like “The Tonight Show” and various roasts that showcased his formidable humor.
Career, Business, and Investments
Don Rickles’ career began in the 1950s and included a plethora of performances in comedy clubs, TV shows, and films. He became a household name through appearances on shows like “The Ed Sullivan Show” and “The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast.”
Rickles also ventured into acting, with notable roles in films like “Casino” alongside Robert De Niro and “Toy Story” as the beloved character Mr. Potato Head. In addition to his comedic endeavors, Don Rickles had various business ventures, including merchandise sales that celebrated his iconic catchphrases and persona.
When Rickles started his career in the early 1950s, he started to call ill-mannered members of the audience "hockey pucks". His style was similar to that of an older insult comic Jack E. Leonard, though Rickles denied Leonard influenced his style. During an interview on Larry King Live, Rickles credited Milton Berle's comedy style for inspiring him to enter show business.
Social Network
While Don Rickles was not actively engaged in social media during his life (as it gained popularity after his initial rise), his legacy lives on through various fan pages and dedicated social media accounts that celebrate his work, humor, and iconic moments in entertainment. Fans continue to share clips and tributes to keep his spirit alive online.
A veteran headline performer at Las Vegas hotel-casinos and peripheral member of the Rat Pack via friendship with Frank Sinatra, Rickles received widespread exposure as a frequent guest on talk and variety shows, including The Dean Martin Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and The Late Show with David Letterman, and voiced Mr.
Potato Head in the first four films of the Toy Story franchise (1995–2019). He won a Primetime Emmy Award for the 2006 documentary Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project. In 2014, he was honored by fellow comedians in a show at the Apollo Theater, which was taped and released on Spike TV titled Don Rickles: One Night Only.
Education
Rickles attended the Newtown High School in Queens, New York, and later studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. His education helped him hone his craft and develop the charm and quick wit that would define his performances for years to come.
After graduating from Newtown High School in 1944, Rickles enlisted in the United States Navy and served during World War II on the motor torpedo boat tender USS Cyrene (AGP-13) as a seaman first class. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Two years later, intending to be a dramatic actor, he studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and then played bit parts on television. Frustrated by a lack of acting work, Rickles began to perform comedy in clubs in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. He became known as an insult comedian when he responded to his hecklers.
The audience enjoyed these insults more than his prepared material, so he incorporated them into his act.
