Posted on 05/25/2016 5:04:55 PM PDT by lowbridge
“Sweetie,” Don Rickles says, welcoming us to his sumptuous Spanish villa near Beverly Hills. “Can I get anything for you, dear?”
This is the comedian known as the Merchant of Venom, the Insult King from Queens, Mr. Warmth (as in precisely the opposite). But not once in a convivial afternoon will he lob an insult our way, the sort he hurls at friends and fans alike, the latter paying handsomely for a dose of Rickles ridicule. At one point, he takes our left hand, bows his bullet head and, in the custom of an Old World courtier, bestows a kiss.
It’s one of Hollywood’s worst-kept secrets that Don Rickles is a mensch.
He is beloved by Morgan Freeman, Martin Scorsese, Jack Nicholson, Clint Eastwood. “The kindest man I’ve come into contact with,” Johnny Depp gushed at a star-studded tribute two years ago.
Sinatra adored him. “Frank was the kind of guy, there was no gray area,” says Rickles. “He either loved you or fuggedaboutit.”
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Yeah... well, I liked Don Rickles, too. Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., are no longer with us, but at least Don Rickles is still her.
Only after Archie Bunker made a name for himself in 1970. Then came Blazing Saddles(73’). Rickles is no trailblazer. Just someone with a loud mouth.
Those old Roasts are Hours of “REAL” Entertainment
Everyone has an opinion ... yours is circling my bowl (actually looks like an obama doll)
Don Rickles roasting The Gipper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZblPwNLH6hg
Okay Hockey Puck. Rickles was around long before Archie Bunker, even in movies, maybe in the Borscht Circuit and possibly in the last days of vaudeville before TV took over the comedy circuit. Believe I saw him on the Ed Sullivan Show a number of times. Maybe even a quiz show though that might be later (my TV guides are in the basement).
He, Joey Bishop and Sammie Davis were the Jewish component of the Rat Pack. Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra were part of the Italian contingent. Peter Lawford represented the British. There were a few others. What a funny bunch of coconuts, and we loved all of them.
Many of them, including Rickles, were WW2 veterans long before they became comedians, actors and singers. Dean Martin’s son died while in a plane crash while serving in the Air Force (possibly Air National Guard/Reserve).
Don Rickles is, as the author wrote, a “Mensch” (Yiddish for gentleman). So to all you Hockey Pucks out there, on behalf of Mr. Rickles, have a laugh on him.
Don Rickles is a national treasure.
I love that guy! My favorite hockey puc!
Just look at him!
The cleaning lady had to change out her vacuum bags twice... just for his nose hair trimmings, she quit when he trimmed his ears!
Really! Can you believe it?
But I love Don ....
Eva Braun (sp) was two timing him !!!!
Speaking of 2 Timing .. The Classic Rickles Roast when Foster Brooks did him in ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1BKR53qxOY
Re my comments about Rickles. Checked Wikipedia and found a very good, comprehensive review of his life and accomplishments.
Served on a PT tender-boat( Navy) during WW2.
Appeared on TV throughout the 1950s, long before Archie Bunker was around. Also on a quiz show.
He’s the last man standing from “back then” and deserves the praise that he has gotten for his life and accomplishments.
A reason to adopt the Japanese custom of National Treasures.
He would turn that into part of his routine...lol
Rickles was doing his insult comedy schtick back in the early 50s.
I was reading about Rickles the other day on IMDB and came across this:
[to Frank Sinatra, who arrived during his act] C’mon in, Frank. Make yourself at home—hit somebody.
'Lyle Delp??'
'Lyle Delp! You wanta make something of it?'
Appeared on TV throughout the 1950s, long before Archie Bunker was around. Also on a quiz show.
...
I just saw that Rickles and Carroll O’Connor went to the same high school.
And what we saw on TV was not the complete show. I still remember when they were giving a roast to someone and on came Glen Campbell.
He said...”HI! I”M GLEN CAMPBELL!” The audience roars and claps, then he walks off, and I said...”Is that all there is to Glen Campbell?” Yep. Then they went on with their roast of whoever it was.
Don Rickles was always great on these roasts! Saw him a few days ago as a carnival barker in X, The man with the X-Ray Eyes.
Old school comedy before it became full of political hacks, perverts, and snarky punks.
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