Don Rickles dead – Star of Toy Story and Casino dies aged 90 from kidney failure
Comic was famous for his ready quips which earned him the ironic nickname "Mr Warmth"
AMERICAN comedian Don Rickles, who starred in Casino and was the voice of Mr Potato Head in the Toy Story movies, has died aged 90.
Rickles died of kidney failure on Thursday at his home in Los Angeles, publicist Paul Shefrin announced.
The comic was famous for his ready quips, putting down all he met and earning the ironic nickname "Mr Warmth".
Rickles, who said he developed his brand of humorous mockery because he was no good at telling traditional jokes, had recently postponed some performances.
For more than half a century, he headlined casinos and nightclubs from Las Vegas to Atlantic City and appeared often on late-night TV talk shows.
One of his most famous put downs was delivered to Frank Sinatra in a Hollywood Club.
He told the singing star "Make yourself at home Frank. Hit somebody".
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Sinatra became a long-time supporter of Mr Rickles even inviting him to perform alongside him at Ronald Reagan’s second Inaugural Ball.
Rickles did not hesitate to zing the commander-in-chief, asking: "Is this too fast for you, Ronnie?"
The most frequent targets of the "Merchant of Venom" were the fans who packed his performances for a chance to be belittled as a "dummy," a "hockey puck" or worse.
Celebrities also often showed up just for the honour of being mocked by Rickles.
Don Rickles facts
- Rickles graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and had an early undistinguished stage career before gravitating toward comedy.
- Rickles did not think of himself as an "insult comic." He said his act was all in fun and that his barbs were exaggerations delivered with good humor
- Frank Sinatra called the comic "Bullethead" while while late-night television host Johnny Carson gave him the facetious title "Mr. Warmth" and Milton Berle dubbed him "The Merchant of Venom".
- Lifelong Democrat Rickles said he only took the job at Raegan's second inaugeration because he wanted to hang out with Sinatra.
The comic also had a successful film career with highlights including playing a Vegas slime-ball in Martin Scorsese’s Casino and Mr Potato Head in the hit Toy Story films.
Rickles is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara, as well as their daughter, Mindy Mann, and two grandchildren. He would have turned 91 next month.
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