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Don Rickles

Comedy history · 26 facts, each from at least two of 17 independent sources · last reviewed 2026-10-17

Don Rickles was a comedian who was born in New York City.1,2,3,4,5,6 He gained a reputation as an insult comedian by firing back at hecklers.4,7 His career lasted close to 60 years, spanning six decades.8,9,10,11,12

Comedy Style and Nicknames

Rickles kept profanity out of his act entirely.5,13 He was known by the nickname the Merchant of Venom.5,14 Johnny Carson gave him another nickname, Mr. Warmth.9,10,13 When Frank Sinatra came to one of his shows, Rickles welcomed him by telling him to feel at home and to hit someone.5,13,15

Television and Live Performances

Rickles appeared on The Tonight Show.3,4,5,7,8,16 His appearances on Johnny Carson's Tonight Show were notable, and he was a guest several times there as well as on David Letterman's Late Show.3,4,6,7,8,16,17 During the 1970s he was featured many times on the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts on NBC.7,18 He also performed when President Reagan was inaugurated for a second term.7,8,9

Film Work

Rickles acted in movies including Enter Laughing, Pajama Party, and Beach Blanket Bingo.3,6,7,16 In 1970 he worked alongside Clint Eastwood in Kelly's Heroes.3,6,9,13 He was later cast in Casino, a film directed by Martin Scorsese.3,7,8,11,12,16 He also provided the voice of Mr. Potato Head for the Toy Story movies.3,7,8,10,11,15,18

Honors and Personal Life

In 2008 Rickles received a Primetime Emmy for Mr. Warmth, winning in the category for outstanding individual performance in variety or music programming.5,16 He was recognized for his lifetime achievement.7,10,19,20 Spike TV paid tribute to him with a special called Don Rickles: One Night Only, and both Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese took part in it.6,9,21,22 Rickles got married when he was 38.16,23

Sources

  1. Don Rickles’ Only Son Dies at 41 (hollywoodreporter.com)
  2. From thugs to thunderstorms: The Don Paul Story (buffalonews.com)
  3. Biography (thehockeypuck.com) · archived copy
  4. Don Rickles - Hollywood Walk of Fame (walkoffame.com)
  5. ‘Mr. Warmth’ Don Rickles dies at 90 – Twin Cities (twincities.com)
  6. Don Rickles Dead: Insult Comedian Was 90 (variety.com)
  7. Don Rickles Dead: Legendary Insult Comic & Prolific Actor Was 90 (deadline.com)
  8. Comedian Don Rickles, who grew up in Jackson Heights, is dead at the age of 90 – QNS (qns.com)
  9. Spike TV's All-Star Don Rickles Tribute: Turning Up the Heat on 'Mr. Warmth' : Open Mic : TVWeek - Television Industry news, TV ratings, analysis, celebrity event photos (tvweek.com) · archived copy
  10. Facebook (maxim.com)
  11. Don Rickles Exclusive Interview (milwaukeemag.com)
  12. Don Rickles Dead: Hollywood Pays Tribute (hollywoodreporter.com)
  13. Comedian Don Rickles dies at 90 (usatoday.com)
  14. Don Rickles Dead: Celerities React -- Bob Newhart, Tom Hanks, Kimmel (variety.com)
  15. Judd Apatow’s “Bob and Don: A Love Story” | The New Yorker (newyorker.com)
  16. Don Rickles, aggressively caustic comedian dubbed 'Mr. Warmth,' dies at 90 - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
  17. Don Rickles Tributes: Late-Night Hosts Remember the "Funny, Sharp and Generous" Comedian (hollywoodreporter.com)
  18. Don Rickles talks Frank Sinatra, impersonations and his film debut - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
  19. A 1967 interview with Don Rickles, the ever-busy insult comic who never writes anything down - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)
  20. Don Rickles honored by Friars Club – San Diego Union-Tribune (sandiegouniontribune.com)
  21. Don Rickles and guest-star roasters like Jerry Seinfeld, David Letterman, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey trade shots – New York Daily News (nydailynews.com)
  22. Comedy legends salute Don Rickles: Their best jokes | EW.com (ew.com) · archived copy
  23. Don Rickle's Life Advice - Men's Journal (mensjournal.com) · archived copy

Updated November 12, 2026.

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