"Mr. Warmth" Don Rickles Dead at 90 - Hollywood Reporter

[Dan T.]

by Mike Barnes

 

Legendary comic Don Rickles, a rapid-fire insulting machine who for six decades earned quite a living making fun of people of all creeds and colors and everyone from poor slobs to Frank Sinatra, has died. He was 90.

 

Rickles died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles of kidney failure, publicist Paul Schrifin announced.

 

Sarcastically nicknamed “Mr. Warmth,” Rickles had mock disdain for stars, major public figures and all those who paid to see him, tweaking TV audiences and Las Vegas showroom crowds with his acerbic brand of takedown comedy. A good guy and devoted husband away from the stage, Rickles the performer heartlessly laid into everyone he encountered — and they loved it.

 

After toiling in relative obscurity for years as a more conventional stand-up comedian, Rickles unwittingly discovered his biggest laughs came when he turned the table on his hecklers. His career then skyrocketed after he insulted the hot-tempered Sinatra, who normally did not take kindly to such treatment.

When the superstar singer and actor walked into a Hollywood club in 1957 where Rickles was performing, the comedian greeted the “Chairman of the Board” from the stage: “Make yourself at home Frank. Hit somebody.” Sinatra roared — with laughter.

 

With Sinatra’s endorsement, Rickles began his comedic assault on people famous and not so famous — Jews, Asians, African Americans, the Irish, Puerto Ricans, red-headed women, short guys, you name it — with tremendous results. He referred to stupid people as “hockey pucks,” and in 1959, he signed for his first Las Vegas appearance, in the lounge of the Hotel Sahara.

In 1985, when Sinatra was asked to perform at Ronald Reagan’s second Inaugural Ball, he insisted that Rickles accompany him for a comedy routine. Rickles, naturally, did not spare the president (“Am I going too fast for you, Ronnie?” he asked) and considered that performance among the highlights of his career.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/tv/legendary-comic-don-rickles-dies-175908685.html

[Spaceman Spiff]

No one's quoted on this?  Guess everyone's too caught up with the political crap that's taken over the Tailgate.

 

RIP to a true legend.  Very sad to hear this news.  Spent a few minutes this afternoon with some co-workers watching his videos on YouTube.  Hilarious.

 

 

[Captain Wiggles]

My brother just texted me about. Rickles was one of the comedic greats. Those ol Dean Martin roasts were so great. He was in a lot of good movies as well. His albums Don Rickles Speaks and Hello Dummy are always worth a listen.

[mark327]

Rest in peace Don Rickles.

One of my favorite comedians growing up. Loved watching those Roast. Don't think I ever missed one.

[zoony]

Aww dang

 

What an amazing life though

[China]