He was a true original. Don Rickles, also known as “The Merchant of Venom,” was an equal-opportunity rapid-fire insult machine.
But his relentless barbs caused laughter, not tears – except for all those times we laughed so hard that tears came down our cheeks.
He was 90 years old with a career spanning over half a century. Somehow, though, it still wasn’t enough. For myself and his millions of other fans, I guess part of us thought there would ALWAYS be a Don Rickles.
Rest in Peace, Don. (Or please come back and haunt us ANYTIME!)
DONALD JAY RICKLES
8 May 1926 – 8 April 2006
Here’s a brief video of Don, mid-roast for Johnny Carson, finding a new victim in my friend Jim Mulholland, (at that time, the youngest writer for Johnny’s “Tonight Show.”) Enjoy.
I think Don Rickles was an American treasure. I don’t think there’s a week that goes by that I don’t check out one of his performances on YouTube. I don’t know if there’s anyone who is more funny than Mr. Rickles. He was simply a pleasure to watch as he amazingly fired off one joke after another. There never was….and there probably never will be….anyone like him ever again.
He has been a part of my world for a long time. Will miss him