Don Rickles (b. 1926)

 

A legendary entertainer, Don Rickles is renowned for his improvisational, insult-style of humor. He has appeared in showrooms in Atlantic City, N.J.; Las Vegas; and Reno, Nev., as well as in concert halls throughout the United States and around the world.

Rickles got his big break in 1965 during his first performance on Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show.” As a guest on “The Dean Martin Show” during the late 1960s, he became famous for targeting his insulting humor at celebrity audience members. His first Las Vegas appearance was in 1959, and he has headlined there every year since.

A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Rickles has been highly visible on television and in movies. His big-screen appearances include Casino; Toy Story; Toy Story 2; Kelly’s Heroes; Run Silent, Run Deep; and Rat Race. He starred in prime-time series for ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox, and during the 1970s and 1980s he hosted or co-hosted seven television specials. Rickles also has starred in live stage productions and has two best-selling comedy albums. He has parlayed his career in entertainment to support numerous charitable causes as well.

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