Biography
The Master of Insults. Mr. Warmth. These were just a few of the labels given to actor and comedian Don Rickles, who in the course of a decades-long career on stage, film and television came to define the tone and persona of the insult comic. But despite his withering barrage of put-downs, Rickles remained a favorite of celebrities and audiences alike, thanks to both an unflaggingly quick wit and a genuine affection for his targets. Those …
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Career Milestones
| Appeared as stand-up comedian in nightclubs in the U.S. | ||
| Big break came at the Slate Brothers, a Los Angeles nightclub | ||
| Performed with singer Steve Lawrence in several Las Vegas concerts in the early 1980s | ||
| Served in the U.S. Navy in World War II; honorably discharged in 1946 | ||
1958 | Feature film debut in the submarine drama "Run Silent, Run Deep" | |
1964 | Appeared in the popular "Beach Party" film series with Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon in the 1960s | |
1965 | First appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (NBC) | |
1967 | Made frequent appearances on "The Dean Martin Show" (NBC) and became a fixture on Martin's roast specials | |
1968 | Released the live comedy album Hello, Dummy! | |
1968 | Starred in his own variety show "The Don Rickles Show" (ABC) with Pat McCormick as his sidekick | |
1970 | Had a notable role as the con man Sgt. Crapgame in the hit film "Kelly's Heroes" | |
1972 | Starred in the CBS sitcom "The Don Rickles Show" | |
1976 | Played title role on NBC sitcom "C.P.O. Sharkey" | |
1983 | Co-hosted (with Steve Lawrence) the short-lived ABC series "Foul-Ups, Bleeps & Blunders" | |
1985 | Performed with Frank Sinatra at Ronald Reagan's Second Inaugural Ball | |
1992 | Received critical praise for his dramatic role in John Landis' "Innocent Blood" | |
1993 | Starred in another short-lived sitcom "Daddy Dearest" (Fox) with comedian Richard Lewis | |
1995 | Lent his voice to the character of Mr. Potato Head in the Pixar film "Toy Story" | |
1995 | Returned to features as Robert De Niro's trusted colleague in Martin Scorsese's "Casino" | |
1996 | First appearance at NYC's Carnegie Hall | |
1999 | Once again voiced the character of Mr. Potato Head for "Toy Story 2" | |
2000 | Received star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (October 17) | |
2004 | Cast opposite William H. Macy in the TNT special "The Wool Cap" as an elderly tenant | |
2007 | Published memoir Rickles' Book | |
2007 | Received first Emmy for HBO documentary "Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project," directed by John Landis | |
2010 | Reprised the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the animated feature "Toy Story 3" | |
Awards
1990 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video For a Series in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: 28th Anniversary Special |
1991 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video For a Series in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: 28th Anniversary Special |
2008 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance In a Variety or Music Program in Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project |