Don Rickles, a comedian and actor known for his abrasive humor, died Thursday from kidney failure at his Los Angeles home, according to his publicist Paul Shefrin.
He was 90 years old.
Known as the world's greatest insult comic, Rickles enjoyed a career which spanned centuries and found him performing in everything from nightclubs to a Martin Scorsese film.
Mr. Rickles created a lot of characters for Toobworld, although he wasn't very successful in making any of his starring roles last very long. But some of those TV guest shots were, to me, not just memorable, but indelible: Azmodeus in 'The Wild, Wild West', Bald Eagle in 'F Troop', Mr. Ingels from 'Tales From The Crypt' and Lyle Delp in 'The Dick Van Dyke Show'. (But Max's old Army buddy Sid in 'Get Smart' was a particular favorite.)
And so many other immortal 60s sitcom classics: 'The Andy Griffith Show', 'The Munsters', 'The Addams Family', 'I Dream Of Jeannie', 'Gilligan's Island' and 'The Lucy Show'. Plus 'Wagon Train', 'Run For Your Life', and he provided three characters for 'Burke's Law'.
But for the Television Crossover Hall of Fame, we're going to remember Don Rickles as himself. Mr. Warmth. The Merchant of Venom. And it was more than for his insult routine as seen on 'Tonight' and those 'Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts'.
Here's what I've compiled:
'The Mothers-In-Law'
'The Mothers-In-Law'
- Show Business Is No Business (1969)
Eve and Kaye cause a string of calamities as they both try to wangle a spot in Don Rickles' act for the lodge benefit show.
Saturday Night Live
- Don Rickles/Billy Idol (1984)
Eve and Kaye cause a string of calamities as they both try to wangle a spot in Don Rickles' act for the lodge benefit show.
- Don Rickles/Billy Idol (1984)
O'BSERVATION - 'Saturday Night Live' has a "televersion" like many game shows and talk shows so I've included it.
The Larry Sanders Show
- Artie and Angie and Hank and Hercules (1997)
Muppets Tonight
- Coolio & Don Rickles (1997)
- Artie and Angie and Hank and Hercules (1997)
- Coolio & Don Rickles (1997)
O'BSERVATION - Puppets are living spirit beings who house themselves in those shells So that's included as well.
The Bernie Mac Show
- The Sweet Life (2002)
- The Sweet Life (2002)
O'BSERVATION - Bernie tried to sneak his excess garbage into the trash can of his neighbor... Don Rickles.
The Unit
- Sub-Conscious (2007)
- Sub-Conscious (2007)
O'BSERVATION - AND played a Priest as well? I haven't found out yet what happened in this episode with regards to Rickles. But in several sources he is listed as playing both himself and a priest. Here he is as the priest....
Grandfathered
- Pilot (2015)
- Pilot (2015)
O'BSERVATION - If I had to guess, I'd say Mr. Rickles was a diner at Jimmy's restaurant.
(Most of the information is from the IMDb.)
So in memory of Don Rickles, we welcome him into the Television Crossover Hall of Fame. Good night and may God bless... you Hockey Puck. We'll miss you.
BCnU!
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