Don Rickles, the legendary comedian known
for his razor-sharp wit and fearless insult comedy, was not only a master of laughter
but also a man who formed deep and lasting relationships with some of the biggest names
in show business. Throughout his illustrious career, Rickles
cultivated close friendships with icons like Frank Sinatra, Johnny Carson, and Bob Newhart. These friendships were not merely professional
alliances but genuine connections based on mutual respect and admiration. Rickles' ability to win over these luminaries
showcased his exceptional talent and affable personality. Even after his passing in 2017, his impact
remained profound, as evidenced by the heartfelt tribute his daughter, Mindy, penned to honor
his memory five years later. She touched on many topics, including the
truth about his relationship with legendary talk show host, Carson. Join Facts Verse, as we take you through what
she had to say about her dad and Johnny, as well as some fun info about Don’s relationship
with these other entertainment giants! Body
Born on May 8, 1926, in New York City, Don Rickles began his career in show business
in the 1950s and quickly made a name for himself with his unique comedic style. Rickles gained fame for his ability to poke
fun at both himself and others, often targeting audience members with his biting humor. Throughout his career, Rickles made frequent
appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and became a regular guest on Dean
Martin's Celebrity Roasts. He also starred in his own sitcom, C.P.O. Sharkey, which ran from 1976 to 1978. In addition to his television and film work,
Rickles was a popular stand-up comedian, performing his insult comedy routines to sold-out crowds
around the world. He had a distinctive style that relied heavily
on improvisation and interacting with the audience, making each performance unique and
unpredictable. Beyond his career achievements, Don Rickles
was a family man. He was married to his wife, Barbara Sklar,
from 1965 until his death in 2017. The couple had two children together, a son
named Larry and a daughter named Mindy. Don had a very close relationship with Mindy. Mindy, born on May 13, 1966, followed in her
father's footsteps and pursued a career in show business. She worked as an actress and voice-over artist,
appearing in films such as "Daddy Dearest" and "Mercy." Mindy also made appearances on her father's
talk show, "The Don Rickles Show." Don and Mindy Rickles shared a deep bond,
and their relationship extended beyond the professional sphere. Mindy often accompanied her father to public
events and red carpet appearances, showcasing their strong father-daughter connection. Don was known to be a loving and supportive
father, and Mindy cherished their relationship. Sadly, Don passed away on April 6, 2017. His family, and his fans around the world
mourned the passing of this all time great comedian. Mindy’s Tribute
Mindy Rickles penned a lovely and heartfelt tribute to her dad, five years after his death. In it, she spoke lovingly of his talent, love,
an abilities as a father. She also touched on his relationship with
Johnny Carson, who at the time, was just about the biggest name in show business. She mentioned that her dad was booked by “The
Tonight Show” more than 100 times over the course of Carson’s time at the show’s
helm. It’s a remarkable number, and one that exhibits
both the level of talent Rickles had, as well as Carson’s unending respect for the comedian. Mindy wrote that her dad long held Carson
as one of the two primary people (the other being Frank Sinatra) who he credited with
making his career as successful as it was. She revealed that both Carson and Sinatra
adored Don, and that they loved the fact that he would make fun of them just as much as
anyone else. She also talked about how the first time Sinatra
and his crew showed up at one of Don’s shows, Don took a huge risk and poked fun of Sinatra’s
image as being backed by the mafia. According to Mindy, Don said to Frank and
his crew, “Make yourself at home, Frank. Hit somebody.” And luckily for Don, Frank and his buddies
found the joke hilarious. Mindy also talked about how Don was able to
get away with his trademark brand of insult comedy. She said that even as people were being mocked
to their face, they took it in stride because they could always sense that Don was a lovely,
warm person. They could tell he was doing it just as an
act, and that he meant no serious offence. That, Mindy admitted, is why Johnny Carson
ultimately gave him the nickname, “Mr. Warmth.” And that nickname stuck! Don and Frank
A big part of Don and Frank’s relationship was having fun with each other, and pulling
off pranks. Don got the better of Frank one evening, when
Don was on a dinner date, and Frank was at the same restaurant. Don’s date reportedly refused to believe
that the insult comedian was a close friend of Frank Sinatra’s. So Don pulled Frank aside that night, and
asked for favor. He asked Frank to come up to his and his date’s
table and begin making conversation to show that the two were friends. According to Frank’s later telling of the
story, when he approached the table and introduced himself to Don’s date, Don snapped at him,
“Can’t you see I’m eating, Frank? What are you doing?” Frank admitted to being fully taken by the
prank, and stood there with his mouth open. But he soon got back at Rickles for this little
jab. One night, while Don was performing at the
Sahara Las Vegas, Frank decided that he was going to have Don Rickles “arrested” in
the middle of one of his performances. In the middle of Rickles’ set, two uniformed
police officers arrived on stage, and dragged him off stage and out of the venue. They put him in a police car and hauled him
away. Only, instead of taking him to the station
and booking him, they dropped him off at another casino, The Sands. There he discovered Frank at a table, gambling,
surrounded by beautiful women and joined by Dean Martin. Frank reportedly smiled, looked at Don, and
said, “Anything wrong, Don?” Rickles knew immediately that he’d been
pranked by his good buddy. Despite their constant prank war, the two
remained friends until Sinatra’s death in 1998. Don Rickles acted as one of the fallen star’s
pallbearers. Don and Bob
Another of Don’s closest friends was legendary comedian and actor, Bob Newhart. Despite having different comedic styles, Rickles
and Newhart found a common ground in their shared appreciation for each other's abilities. They recognized the comedic genius in one
another and quickly became close friends. Their friendship was built on a foundation
of admiration, camaraderie, and a shared understanding of the intricacies of making people laugh. Throughout their careers, Rickles and Newhart
often appeared together on television shows, including numerous guest appearances on The
Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. They also performed together at various comedy
events, showcasing their natural chemistry and ability to play off each other's comedic
timing. Their on-stage collaborations were a delight
to audiences, who relished in witnessing the comedic brilliance of two great talents in
perfect sync. Offstage, Rickles and Newhart enjoyed spending
time together, exchanging humorous stories and engaging in lively conversations. They supported and encouraged each other throughout
their respective careers, offering advice and sharing their experiences in the challenging
world of comedy. Their close friendship provided a source of
comfort and inspiration as they navigated the ups and downs of show business. Newhart and Rickles would travel together
and whenever Rickles thought that he had offended anybody in the audience he would, according
to Newhart, feel pretty awful. The two comedians remained fairly close over
the years. They would even attend each other's family
vacations and tours together, even though Rickles offended Bob’s wife, Ginnie, the
first time that they met. While at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas, Bob
and Ginnie sat in the front row to watch Don perform. Although Newhart warned his wife about Rickles's
reputation for harsh jabs, she apparently wasn't prepared enough when Rickles proclaimed
that the 'stammering idiot from Chicago' was 'in the audience with his hooker wife from
New Jersey'. Despite that pretty awkward moment, Newhart
always knew that Rickles was a good guy at heart, so when Rickles died in 2017, Newhart
honored his friend's memory by sharing with The Hollywood Reporter that the comic 'didn't
have a mean bone in his body' and that it was an honor to be picked on by him. Don’s Legacy
Don Rickles' legacy as an entertainer is nothing short of legendary. With his quick wit, biting humor, and unparalleled
ability to captivate audiences, he left an indelible mark on the world of comedy. Throughout his career, Rickles showcased his
unique talent and became known as the ultimate insult comic. One of the defining aspects of Rickles' legacy
was his fearlessness on stage. He targeted everyone, including celebrities
and audience members, with his sharp-tongued insults. However, his charm and infectious personality
endeared him to audiences, allowing him to push boundaries and bring laughter to people
from all walks of life. Rickles' influence extended far beyond the
realm of stand-up comedy. He was a versatile entertainer who excelled
in various mediums, including film, television, and music. He appeared in numerous films, showcasing
his acting skills and versatility, while also leaving an indelible impression with his comedic
timing. What truly sets Rickles apart is his enduring
influence on generations of comedians. His fearless approach to comedy and his ability
to connect with audiences in a way that was both hilarious and endearing inspired countless
entertainers who followed in his footsteps. His impact can be seen in the comedic styles
of many modern-day comedians, who continue to draw inspiration from his groundbreaking
work. Now it’s time to hear from you. Did you know that Don Rickles and Frank Sinatra
would constantly pull pranks on each other? Let us know in the comments section below!
