Don Rickles
He turned insult into an art form, roasting presidents and pals alike with a delivery that betrayed a underlying warmth.
1926–2017 (age 91)·American comedian and actor·Birthday: May 8·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Don Rickles didn't tell jokes; he conducted a symphony of mockery. In the smoky nightclubs of the 1950s, he discovered that audiences—especially the powerful and famous—responded better to a well-aimed jab than a polite setup. His genius was in the delivery: a deadpan stare, a machine-gun rhythm, and a twinkle in his eye that signaled it was all in good fun. He became a staple in Las Vegas and a fixture on late-night television, where his appearances on 'The Tonight Show' were legendary events. Rickles's act, which could reduce Frank Sinatra to tears of laughter, worked because it was rooted in truth and lacked malice. He was a comic who mastered the delicate balance of making everyone a target while making everyone feel included in the laugh.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Don was born in 1926, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Don Was Born
The biggest hits of 1926
#1 Movie
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
Don's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1926Born
Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket
President: Calvin Coolidge"Baby Face" — Jan Garber
1931Started school
The Empire State Building opens as the world's tallest
Gas: $0.17/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Minnie the Moocher" — Cab CallowayBest Picture: Cimarron
1939Became a teenager
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1942Could drive
Battle of Midway turns the tide in the Pacific
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,175Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"White Christmas" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Mrs. Miniver
1944Could vote
D-Day: Allied forces land at Normandy
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,400Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Swinging on a Star" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Going My Way
1947Turned 21
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1956Turned 30
Elvis Presley appears on The Ed Sullivan Show
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $10,050Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Heartbreak Hotel" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: Around the World in 80 Days
1966Turned 40
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1976Turned 50
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1986Turned 60
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1996Turned 70
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2006Turned 80
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2017Died at 91
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
Key Achievements
- Pioneered and perfected the style of insult comedy, influencing generations of stand-up comedians.
- Starred in his own successful television sitcom, 'C.P.O. Sharkey,' in the late 1970s.
- Had a late-career resurgence with voice work in the 'Toy Story' films as the beloved Mr. Potato Head.
Did You Know?
He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II on the USS *Cyrene*.
Frank Sinatra famously defended him early in his career, telling a heckling crowd, 'I'm going to let him finish, and you're going to be quiet.'
He and Bob Newhart were close friends for over 50 years, despite their completely opposite comedic styles.
“I never get tired of the laughter, of the noise, of the people. That's what keeps me going.”
