Don Rickles is one of comedy's most famous funnymen and is regarded among the world's top entertainers. For over 50 years, he has appeared in top showrooms in Atlantic City and Las Vegas as well as concert halls throughout the U.S. and abroad. New York City native Rickles performed in high school plays and at neighborhood dances before starting to work in small nightclubs. He graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and served in the U.S. Navy. In 1946, he discovered his "calling" by talking directly to the audience and throwing "off the cuff" lines at them. The laughs came and "the rest," as they say, "is history."
A small step forward in Rickles' career occurred in 1957 at a Hollywood nightclub. One night, Frank Sinatra wandered in. The yet unknown Rickles eyed Sinatra and said, "I just saw your movie, 'THE PRIDE AND THE PASSION, and I want to tell you, the cannon was great." And, "Make yourself at home, Frank. Hit somebody." Sinatra doubled up laughing and became one of Rickles' biggest boosters among Hollywood celebrities. Rickles soon became the "in" comic among the Hollywood stars, who flocked to his nightclub engagements to become the targets of his barbs.
He credits his October 7, 1965 appearance on Johnny Carson's The Tonight Show as a key night in his rise to fame when his freewheeling performance became the talk of the show business industry and caused nationwide comment among the press and public. Two years later, he appeared on The Dean Martin Show and was so popular, he was invited back. Unbeknownst to him, celebrities also including Danny Thomas, Jackie Cooper, Bob Newhart, Lena Horne, Dean Martin, Ernest Borgnine, Don Adams, Ricardo Montalban, Pat Boone and Bob Hope.
Since that time, he has starred in prime time series for ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX and has appeared with such TV talk show hosts as David Letterman, Jay Leno, Regis Philbin, Jimmy Kimmel and Craig Ferguson. In 2008 he received an Emmy for his performance in the highly acclaimed, John Landis-directed documentary “Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project”, which debuted on HBO in 2007. The documentary was also honored with an Emmy as Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special and is now available on DVD.
Rickles also made his mark in films like CASINO, TOY STORY 1, 2 & 3 for Pixar/Walt Disney Pictures, and the now cult classic, KELLY’S HEROES, as well as early career roles in RUN SILENT, RUN DEEP, RAT RACE and several Annette Funicello/Frankie Avalon “beach movies”. Rickles was recently seen in the TNT television movie THE WOOL CAP, which stars William H. Macy. Additionally, he has starred in live stage productions and, along the way, has had two best-selling comedy albums.
Over the course of his career, Rickles has received numerous accolades and awards including Caesar's Palace's first-ever Laurel Award and the United States Comedy & Arts Festival's 2007 Pinnacle Award. In 2009, TV Land honored him with the "Legend Award."
Well known for his many charitable involvements, Rickles was instrumental in spearheading the Fundraising with Friends for the Barbara and Don Rickles Gymnasium at Sinai Temple in West Los Angeles, California.
Don Rickles will be at the Seminole Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida on Wednesday November 30, 2011.
