Don Rickles at Orleans Showroom

Rickles took his first step toward national fame in 1957 when Frank Sinatra wandered into the small Hollywood nightclub where Rickles was performing. The still-unknown Rickles eyed Sinatra and said, “I just saw your movie, The Pride and the Passion, and I want to tell you, the cannon’s acting was great. And, make yourself at home, Frank. Hit somebody.” Sinatra doubled up laughing and became one of Rickles’ biggest boosters among Hollywood celebrities. Rickles soon became the “in” comic among Hollywood stars, who flocked to his nightclub engagements to become the targets of his insults.

As a star-struck kid in New York City, Rickles aspired to share the big screen with such greats as Clark Gable and James Cagney. His wish came true in 1958 when he appeared in Run Silent Run Deep, starring Clark Gable. Rickles went on to receive critical praise for his villainous performance in The Rat Race in 1960.

During a period between acting assignments, Rickles tried and succeeded at stand-up comedy. Audiences laughed harder at his impromptu insults than at his prepared material, and Rickles’ legend as the king of insult comics was born.

Rickles has also starred in films and television shows, including Casino, Kelly’s Heroes, Gilligan’s Island, The Andy Griffith Show, Get Smart, Toy Story and Toy Story 2, and most recently, the CBS hit series The Unit. Rickles won two Primetime Emmy Awards, including the 2008 HBO special Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project for Best Individual Performance in a Variety or Musical.