Don Rickles Biography

Don Rickles was an American stand-up comedian as well as an author and actor. He was among the most highly-respected entertainment talent. His quick wit and humorous remarks, accompanied by his genuine love for his fans created an irresistible mix of fun, amusement and laughter. The ability of his insults to seem humorous and not offensive was what made him a frequent participant on celebrity roast circuits. His insults were often cruel and hurtful, but he was able to make the receiver laugh. He began his career as a conventional comedian, performing rehearsed jokes however, he changed his plans after realizing that the audience loved his impromptu insults more than his planned material. His distinctive style earned him many admirers which included Frank Sinatra. Apart from appearing in several television and film shows, he also recorded two comedy albums. He was honored with numerous awards, including a "Lifetime Achievement" award at The Comedy Awards. Don Rickles had only small roles in television when he graduated. He began performing stand-up comedy to supplement his income, eventually developing his "insult comedian" persona. He played a key role in Clint Eastwood's 1970 film that became a hit Kelly's Heroes (1970). He appeared in a variety of television comedies, including  The Dean Martin Roasts' (1973) and 'The Don Rickles show' (1972). Barbara Sklar and Don Rickles were married on March 14, 1966. They had two children: Mindy and Larry. Their son was killed in 2011. His best acquaintance was Bob Newhart and the two often went on vacation with their wives. They have appeared together on many shows, including 'Newhart.' Don Rickles died of kidney disease on April 6, 2017 at his home in Beverly Hills, California.