Don Rickles
Don Rickles
Donald Jay "Don" Ricklesis an American stand-up comedian and actor. Best known as an insult comic, he is also an actor, playing both comedic and dramatic roles on film. He received widespread exposure as a frequent guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Show with David Letterman...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionComedian
Date of Birth8 May 1926
CityQueens, NY
CountryUnited States of America
cried time took war
I was in World War II; I cried when they took me in the Navy. That's the last time I cried.
clubs playing
I've been to Philadelphia a lot of times over the years, playing the old Celebrity Room and most of the other clubs around there that don't exist anymore.
I want to be a dog, but I'm a pussycat.
although audiences
When you do comedy, you can't please the world, although I'd like to think that most of my audiences were on my side.
Now when I'm not working, I don't really hang out with the young comics.
wants
I'm not one of those guys who wants to die on a stage.
I say things I get away with, and it becomes a joke.
comics compared material
Compared to what some of the young comics use for material today, I'm a priest.
great work
My wife, Barbara, is great. She arranges when I do work that I have a day off between performances.
call
I call myself an actor. I always wanted to be one.
bob hope totally writers
Bob Hope was totally regimented. I go in and say a line like, 'Hi Bob' and I'd have to do it five times, and then Bob would take me to the writers to say the line different ways. He wouldn't let me ad-lib.
building cement god guy pounding street swear
When I walk down the street in New York, I swear to God, the building constructor, the guy pounding cement and what not, will yell, 'Hey, you hockey puck!'
comedians staying
The young comedians always ask me, 'What's the secret for staying around?' I tell them, 'There is no secret - just stay around. Longevity is the most important thing.'
audiences became social tried whatever
After I graduated, I tried Broadway, which was difficult for me. It was tough to get a part on Broadway, so I just started talking to audiences at different social gatherings, and little by little I became Don Rickles - whatever that is.