As perhaps one of the final vestiges of the “Borscht Belt” style of comedy that ruled over celebrity roasts and stand-up throughout the previous century,Don Ricklesremains without equal, even years after his passing. No one was louder, faster, or more adept at picking apart an unsuspecting victim’s slip-ups than the late insult comedian, with talk show appearances and stints onThe Dean Martin Celebrity Roastbeing the prime examples.
From subtle facial expressions to rocketing out of his chair, the equal opportunity offender would do mocking impressions of any religion, ethnicity, or even fellow celebrity to show that truly no one was above being a target, creating a career which probably wouldn’t be acceptable in today’s climate.
But reiterated in seemingly every set performed throughout the entertainer’s life was a singular message: what he did on stage,he did with love. Rickles was never shy about expressing his adoration for friends, family, and fans with a genuine and heartfelt thanks and gracious courtesy. In between leveling hosts and audiences alike with unmatched stamina and playful malice resided a deep love for his position as an entertainer, one that he was not willing to step away from even up to his death at age 90. A journey from smokey gangster-laden nightclubs to performing for the President of the United States, here’s to the irreplaceably ill-mannered Don Rickles.
Not So Humble Beginnings
Born May 1926 in Queens, New York, Don Rickles would work tirelessly from a young age, hoping to make it big in the ever-growing world of show business. After serving as a seaman in the Philippinesduring World War II, Rickles decided to pursue a career of acting and comedy. Starting as a traditional comedian, his act slowly evolved as he began to realize audiences were laughing harder at his impromptu jokes rather than his prepared material. With his biggest fan being hisequally loud and passionate mother, Rickles would often find himself defended by her when comedy club owners would call to complain about the young comic’s insults, asking for him not to return.
It was also Don’s mother, Etta, who talked fellow show business mother Dolly Sinatra into convincing her son Frank to go see the young Rickles perform live in Miami Beach. Frank Sinatra not only went to go see the act, but loved the fearlessness and nerve that the “master of insults” had on stage. It wasn’t common that Sinatra, known for having vague ties to the mob, would be made fun of in a public space, though Rickles not only took shots at the singer, but made a lifelong friend by doing so; one he would cherish for decades to come.
The Rat Pack
It was no secret that, for decades, the mafia were running the Las Vegas entertainment scene and had a widespread influence in show business as a whole. Nestled snugly within the strong-yet-unnerving control held by the mobsters of old were the immensely popular members of the “Rat Pack”, a small group of singers, comedians, hosts, and actors whose reputations preceded them.
The Rat Pack would often come together forclassic Hollywood musicalsand more serious films, along with roasts of one another, with their unofficial leader being Frank Sinatra. With Sinatra’s newfound endearment for Rickles, (whom he referred to as “Bullethead”) the comedian would be ushered into a new world of entertainment, and make himself at home as a regular and fan favorite during the series of celebrity roasts.
Nowhere would Don Rickles' trademark blistering speed and cleverness be on display more clearly than these roasts. It would begin to feel like they should’ve been hosted by Rickles in the first place, with them being such a perfect fit for the comic’s lovingly insulting tone, and arsenal of jabs at whoever would be featured on the docket any given night.
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Sinatra would go on to have a lifetime of friendship with Don, who always carried a deep admiration for the singer, whom he deemed as “his hero.” Years after Frank Sinatra’s death, Rickles would continue to mention him in talk show appearances and in interviews, always in a loving tone, jokingly claiming that if he insulted his late friend, he “would never see his family again.”
Big Mouth on the Big Screen
While the world of stand-up comedy would be where Don Rickles called home during his career, his love and skill for acting would see the comedian ina wide array of filmsthroughout the performer’s half a century of work. Rickles began experiencing onscreen success in the late ’50s, with his break-out role alongside Clark Gable in the hit filmRun Silent Run Deep. Following this would be several light beach comedies of the ’60s, up until 1970’sKelly’s Heroes, in which the insult comic would now be starring alongside Clint Eastwood. It was safe to say that thestand-up comedian became a great actor.
Rickles' filmography would continue to grow, with the funnyman performing in Martin Scorsese’s 1995 filmCasinoto widespread praise, as well as teaming up with Disney and Pixar to provide the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the popularToy Storymovie franchise. Being a much revered figure among actors and comedians alike, Don would be a sought after commodity to play a part in many comedy projects the longer his career went on, including his role in the movieDirty Work, a character that writer and lead actor Norm Macdonald admitted he conceptualized specifically for Rickles.
Mr. Warmth on The Tonight Show
Along with several television projects he would helm (such asC.P.O Sharkey), Don Rickles' presence on the small screen would often be during his many visits toThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. With the notoriously introverted host not often spending much time outside the show with fellow entertainers, Rickles was one of the few that the late Johnny Carson would call a friend.Appearing over 100 timeson the program throughout the years, both Rickles and Carson would jokingly lock horns, trading insults to one another in what would be highlight episodes throughout the talk show’s run.
It would be Johnny Carson who would give the beloved nickname “Mr. Warmth” to the comedian, as well as providing Rickles his famous theme song to walk out to, one that would follow the late entertainer into every other talk show he’d appear on throughout his career as tradition, and out of respect. Memorable episodes such as suddenly walking in during an interview with Frank Sinatra, or breaking Carson’s cigarette box remain favorite airings, not only by fans of Mr. Warmth himself, but of late night aficionados everywhere.
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While Don would happily tear into host after host of several other late night shows, his rapport with Carson would remain inimitable. Next to Sinatra, Johnny would be credited by Rickles as the major influence towards helping his career, and continued to speak kindly on the “king of late night” through the rest of his life.
Highlight of His Life
Through all the accolades and honors, Don Rickles would always cite one performance as the highlight of his professional career and life as a whole. Having known Ronald Reagan as a governor and actor years before his run for the White House, Rickles was invited for the President’s second inaugural, in 1985. Though the organizers for the event were initially unsure that Don’s spiky attitude would be appropriate, Sinatra, who was also set to perform, made the claim that “if you don’t have Rickles, you don’t have me.” With the bold statement from the singer carrying heavy weight, Don Rickles was given the green light to do his thing, and just like in any club or on any stage, he was unapologetically himself.
There has never been a voice in style or in tone quite the same as Don Rickles'. No one dared attempt to control or out-insult the master, who remained quick to the very end. Outlasting many of his contemporaries of the era, it could be chalked up to the energy and charisma of the entertainer that he lived as long as he did, and was luckily given tributes and celebrations before his death to be shown how admired he truly was. It would be a strain to find a comedian of any kind who didn’t possess some level of idolization towards Mr. Warmth, who took with him the golden age of unbiased insults with both an acid tongue and a golden heart.
