Don Rickles, aka “Mr. Warmth,” has passed away today at age 90
The world has lost a true comedy legend today with the tragic news coming in that Don Rickles has passed away at age 90. With a career spanning six decades, Rickles has appeared on the big screen, on television, on radio, on stage, and even in the pages of DC Comics. He’s as well known for his repeat late night talk show guest appearances as he is for his role as the voice of Mr. Potato Head in all three Disney Pixar Toy Story films.
Born and raised in New York, Don Rickles followed his dream of being in show business, but true success eluded him until a fateful night in a Miami Beach cafe. There, Rickles jokingly mocked Frank Sinatra and wound up winning the respect of Ol’ Blue Eyes and a friend for life. Dubbed “Mr. Warmth” for his unique style of playful deprecation, Rickles pioneered insult comedy, famously calling his insult victims “hockey pucks”.
While there’s virtually no end to Don Rickles’ television guest appearances, it was in 1976 that he received his own series, headlining NBC‘s C.P.O. Sharkey. Sharkey ran for two seasons.
The Hollywood Reporter confirms that Don Rickles passed away today at his Los Angeles due to kidney failure. He is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Barbara Sklar, as well as by his daughter, Mindy, his son in law, Ed, and grandchildren Ethan and Harrison. Tragically, Don Rickles’ son, Larry, passed away himself in 2011. It is being requested that any donations be made to the Larry Rickles Endowment Fund at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
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(Photo by: Herb Ball / NBC / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)