My father was a huge fan of Don Rickles. Rickles was probably his favorite comedian. I saw Rickles perform his stand-up in Lake Tahoe as a small child. I really do not remember much about this.
For today's audiences, Rickles is probably best known as the voice of Mr. Potato Head in Pixar's Toy Story franchise.
The casing of talented and distict character actors in the film's supporting roles was one of the factors which made this film a huge success and the landmark in film history it has become.
Rickles appeared in an episode of the Twilight Zone.
Mr. Dingle: The Strong starred Burgess Meredith as weak willed man who is given super strength by aliens.
In the episode, Rickle's character is involved in an argument over the Dempsy Tunney Long Count. This event was covered in depth by John Siuntres for Sporting News Radio.
Don Rickles was the star of C.P.O. Sharkey which ran on NBC for two seaons starting in 1976. C.P.O. stands for Cheif Petty Officer, the naval equivalent of a sergeant. A role call scene where Sharkey would dress down the men is his unit, Don Rickles style, was the centerpiece of this show. For its time, it was a fairly clever means of integrating Rickle’s insult laced stand-up routine into a sitcom.
Rickles rather brief involvement in the main stream comic industry is something of which I am not privy to the details.
In the 70’s and 80’s Rickles was a major fixture on the casino showroom circuit.
The entertainment industry in Nevada has gone through a lot of changes since then. The casino featured in this picture is no longer standing.
The most substantial live action film which Rickles ever appeared in was likely Martin Scorsese’s Casino.
Interestingly enough (or not) the casino which was the center of the true life events portrayed in the film is the same one where Rickles played stand-up as shown above,
Rickles received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and apparently had his Toy Story work to thank for much of that honor.
good thread!
i too worship at the altar of the merchant of venom.
saw him live twice , once as a headliner at the hollywood casinio in aurora il, and opening for sinatra in 1994, when they opened the united center.
Oh, goodness, is there anybody better at the put down than Don Rickles?
lisa lampenelli tries, but mostly fails in my eyesOriginally Posted by Dusty
Oh, goodness, is there anybody better at the put down than Don Rickles?
"why dont you get a horse and live in the mountains some place and stop bothering everybody."
my fav rickles line was on the dean martin show in the very early 70's , when rickles is ripping into a room of celebs
all of a sudden bob hope enters the room to a standing o while he finds his seat, rickles waits till the applause dies down and he asks Hope "is the war over?"
Fav Rickles line is when his manager- an african-american- comes out on stage to tell him something and he says:
"Is there a problem with the luggage?"
No skipping a beat, no NOTHING!
Perfect Rickles!
A lot of people have said that "You have not made it if Rickles has not made fun of you"
He is the last of a dying breed.
Think about it.... Is there another comic out there that can make the jokes that he does now with PC correctness?
I think NOT!
He is the last one getting away with it and doing a great job. I just hate that I never got to see him live.
Would anyone want to join in a conversation about great comics? Or a thread about great comics that you might not have heard of?
I thought about starting one but I am more of a lurker then anything else so I just figured I would get some feed back and also, I don't want to take over John's board with one simple question that I think could be a fun debate. It could also lead to showing others about great stand up comedy that is out there other then the main stream.
Thoughts?
John? Would like your feedback about this. It is your board...
Anyone see "Mr. Warmth" - the Rickles documentary? What an amazing collection of bits and tributes and anecdotes. I love every minute of it and really "got" him after seeing it. I've watched his roasts since and no one is sharper and yet more sincere.
great docu
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