By Steve Crum
Honoring the memory of 90 year-old Don Rickles, who passed away yesterday, April 6, enjoy this smattering of unique moments in his comedic (and sometimes dramatic–via Run Silent, Run Deep) showbiz career.
Due to ever increasing “political correctness” (damn, I hate that phrase), insult comedy has died with Rickles. Mr. Warmth made funny insults an art unto himself.
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A familiar scene for Johnny Carson and The Tonight Show fans, this 1968 photo was taken the hilarious time Don Rickles interrupted a shtick featuring Carson and some Japanese young ladies massaging him. Johnny soon pushed Don into a bathtub.Mr. Warmth interacts with The Beatles at a function in 1964. Well, TWO of The Beatles: Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
Don Rickles is probably doing his comedy insult bit with Clark Gable during a break in filming Run Silent, Run Deep (1958). Gable starred, along with Burt Lancaster, and Rickles gave a fine performance in support.
Rickles made the cover of this September 1971 Jimmy Olsen comic book, flanked by a couple of superheroes, including Superman. Rickles is featured within the book as well…in drawn form.
Guest host Frank Sinatra does his best to control Don Rickles during a 1977 The Tonight Show.
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Peacefully rest, you hockey puck of hockey pucks. #