Comedy Legend Don Rickles Dies Of Kidney Failure
LOS ANGELES (CBS LA) — Don Rickles, the legendary comedian known for insults and caustic wit, died Thursday at the age of 90.
Rickles died as a result of kidney failure, according to spokesman Paul Shefrin. He would have turned 91 in May.
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Regarded among the world's top entertainers, Rickles earned the nicknames "The Merchant of Venom" and "Mr. Warmth" from Johnny Carson for his style of humor which often targeted people of all ethnicities and walks of life.
Rickles had tweeted last Mother's Day – just before he turned 90 – that he had plans to "go for 100".
To all dear Mothers, Happy Mother's Day. Are you ready for some exciting news? Sunday is also my 90th Birthday - I have plans to go for 100!
— Don Rickles (@DonRickles) May 3, 2016
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara, as well as their daughter Mindy Mann and her husband Ed, and Rickles' two grandchildren, Ethan and Harrison Mann.
Comedians and other celebrities paid tribute to Rickles
via social media:
Don Rickles has passed away.
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) April 6, 2017
A giant loss.
Don Rickles Dick Cavett 1972 https://t.co/REXcC6GtAF
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) April 6, 2017
RIP Don Rickles. Legend.
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) April 6, 2017
Rickles was awesome.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) April 6, 2017
My friend, my dad, the funniest biggest hearted of them all. A beautiful husband and father. My heart is broken. Rest In Peace. Don Rickles.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) April 6, 2017
He never was Politically Correct and he never apologized for it. R.I.P. Don Rickles @DonRickles
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) April 6, 2017
90 years with Don Rickles weren't enough. One of the sweetest and most lovely people I had the pleasure of knowing. We miss you already
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) April 6, 2017
In lieu of flowers, Don Rickles' family has requested that people drop their pants and fire a rocket. #RIPDonRickles
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles was simply the best. He created insult comedy &yet every 1 of his targets felt loved and honored. One of a kind.#RIPdonrickles
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) April 6, 2017
Awwww man Rickles is dead. Rest In Peace buddy.
— Danny DeVito (@DannyDeVito) April 6, 2017
Don once begged me for a couple of bucks then told me to twist myself into a pretzel. Ego slayer! Comic Everest! Spank you, Mr Rickles. ;^)
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) April 6, 2017
Aw jeez. Rickles .Sweetest, funniest, legend and mensch. Came to a party at my house gave me a dollar and told me to get a nicer place.#RIP
— Craig Ferguson (@CraigyFerg) April 6, 2017
As I was standing nearby, #DonRickles once whispered in my wife's ear, "What are you doing with a loser like him?" I was honored. #rip #sad
— Kevin Nealon (@kevin_nealon) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles was a cyclone of funny with a heart of gold. Is God ready for your maniacal wit? Would love to hear what you said on arrival.
— Lewis Black (@TheLewisBlack) April 6, 2017
Honoring @BobNewhart with the great Don @DonRickles Memorable night. pic.twitter.com/awHklTNlXN
— Fred Willard (@Fred_Willard) April 6, 2017
Rickles is gone. He was the best, you hockey pucks. RIP
— marc maron (@marcmaron) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles is gone at 90 years young. He was quite literally one of the funniest people to walk… https://t.co/IbakEHxwDe
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) April 6, 2017
I was honored to be Don's pal and work with him. My xx to his family. For sheer laughs and fearlessness, he's king. pic.twitter.com/OlmKBY7QoE
— Richard Lewis (@TheRichardLewis) April 6, 2017
Hockey puck. We've lost @DonRickles I love him so. Smart, funny, a pro and most important deeply and honestly kind. Kind is what matters.
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) April 6, 2017
Greatest Of All Time https://t.co/b7q4wmpFX0
— Jeff Ross (@realjeffreyross) April 6, 2017
RIP to this sweet and lovely man pic.twitter.com/j8mseq1aSY
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) April 6, 2017
One of the funniest, ballsiest comics of all time. RIP Don Rickles. pic.twitter.com/wF9rPQjjVz
— Jim Norton (@JimNorton) April 6, 2017
A God died today. Don Rickles, we did not want to ever lose you. Never. Hanx.
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) April 6, 2017
Being skewered by Don Rickles was side-splitting funny.
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) April 6, 2017
A gentle soul with rapid fire wit. xoB pic.twitter.com/yl2mnT32Zz
I was honored to b publicly humiliated by this comedy titan a few times! I saw him give an impromptu wedding toast last yr & he killed! https://t.co/eiUUrhG8Ll
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) April 6, 2017
There aren't many people who I've met who have literally stopped me cold due to being… https://t.co/2szHf6g4P8
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) April 6, 2017
Top Dog and King of All Shit Talking Don Rickles!!! #DonRickles
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) April 6, 2017
God Bless Don Rickles, aka, Mr. Warmth! Proud to have been heckled by him from the stage many times! #RIP
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles, such sharp hilarious wit in an era when an insult comic didn't need to be vulgar to be funny. You will be missed -B #donrickles pic.twitter.com/448JH7bGSP
— Barbara Eden (@Barbara_Eden) April 6, 2017
Noise/Funk (or Angels?), B'way, 20+ yrs ago, curtain call: I looked down into the 1st row of the audience. Don Rickles. My heart smiled. RIP
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) April 6, 2017
RIP Don Rickles, 90.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 6, 2017
One of the funniest men who ever lived. pic.twitter.com/8RvD1hGj2R
Legend. #RIPDonRickles
— Jorge Garcia (@jorgegarcia) April 6, 2017
A legend who made fans laugh..an "equal opportunity" insult comic nicknamed Mr. Warmth which described a kind, loving man. RIP Don Rickles pic.twitter.com/btk6326gav
— Terry Fator (@terryfator) April 6, 2017
A national treasure is gone. Don Rickles' talent was limitless. To know him was a gift. He kept me laughing during 58-years of friendship. pic.twitter.com/B1IXEa9S4g
— Larry King (@kingsthings) April 6, 2017
#RIP Don Rickles! pic.twitter.com/xkRSabFfWX
— Lynda Carter (@RealLyndaCarter) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles created a style of stand up and owned (!!!) it his entire career of 60+ years. It's unparalleled. No, I mean, NO ONE did that.
— Kevin Pollak (@kevinpollak) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles will be remembered as the comedian who broke the rules back before there were "insult" comics. My condolences to his family. RIP pic.twitter.com/tsYpu0h4Nw
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles, you kept us laughing for so many years. We will miss you dearly. Thanks for the zingers. You were one of a kind.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles was one of the funniest guys alive & I had privilege to shoot a TV special with him He told me Bev Hills fire dept used Perrier
— Robin Leach (@Robin_Leach) April 6, 2017
The Merchant Of Venom, legendary comedian @DonRickles passed away at 90. I just interviewed him. The sweetest guy, great hubby & dad. pic.twitter.com/lsCsGdJxXu
— Al Roker (@alroker) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles, Equal Opportunity Offender of Comedy, Dies at 90 - https://t.co/OCaqOp1B7q https://t.co/waedc969wh
— Morgan Fairchild (@morgfair) April 6, 2017
We've lost the brilliant and eternally memorable comic, Don Rickles at the age of 90. Thanks to Troy Hawkins and... https://t.co/QoS0eIQVeP
— Anne Rice (@AnneRiceAuthor) April 6, 2017
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