Biography

Don Rickles

Introduction

Donald Jay Rickles, who is also known as Don, was born on 8th May 1926 in Queens, New York, United States. He is an American actor, voice-actor, and a stand-up comedian and is best known as an insult comic, genre of a comedy. His father was Max Rickles and his mother was Etta Rickles. He grew up in the Jackson Heights area. His family was a Jewish. Donald is of an American nationality.

Education

Don Rickles graduated from Newtown High School. In the year 1946, he was honorably discharged after serving in the second world war. Later on, after two years, he studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and has played bit parts on the television.

Career

Don Rickles made debut his acting debut in the year 1958 from the film named 'Run Silent Run Deep'. The movie was a very big hit. Before the film, he struggled for more than 20 years in the night clubs. After his first film, he continued acting and featured in the films like ‘Bikini Beach’, ‘Enter Laughing’, ‘X: The Man with the X-Rays Eyes’, and ‘Kelly’s Heroes’.

From the year 1973 to 1984, Don Rickles frequently appeared on the Dean Martin’s Celebrity roasts, paying tribute to some of his friends like Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, and Bob Hope. From 1976, Donald had his own television series named CPO Sharkey, which aired for two years. After that, in 1985, he appeared on some minor film roles.

However, in the year 1995,Don Rickles made his big comeback by starring in the film ‘Toy Story’ with Tim Allen and Tom Hanks as in the role of the grouchy Mr. Potato Head. He again returned as Mr. Potato Head in the film ‘Toy Story 2’ in the year 1999.

Awards and achievements

In the year 2000,Don Rickles won Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also won Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program in the year 2008 for the Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project. Similarly, in the following year he has won Legend Award and in 2012 he won The Johnny Carson Award, For a lifetime of comedic excellence. In the year 2013, he won a Lifetime Achievement Award, Friars Club.

Personal life

On 14th March 1965 Don Rickles got married to Philadelphia native named Barbara Sklar. He met Barbara through his agent. The couple has two children named Mindy and Larry Rickles. He has admitted that he had a very difficult time romantically in his 20s and in 30s.

Don Rickles considers comedian Bob Newhart to be his best friend and their wives are as well close friends. The estimated net worth of Don is $30 million.