Don Rickles

Donald Jay "Don" Rickles (May 8, 1926 – April 6, 2017) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, voice actor and author, best known for his role as Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and Toy Story 3. He was also known for being an on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and in The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts.

Early life
Rickles was born in Queens, New York on May 8, 1926 to Max Rickles, who immigrated to the United States in 1902, and to Etta (née Feldman), who was from New York City. Rickles' parents were of Jewish ancestry. Rickles was educated at American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Career
Rickles' career began in 1958 in Run, Silent, Run Deep. Since then Rickles has appeared in movies such as Casino, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Denice the Menace Strikes Again, Toy Story 3, Zookeeper, Toy Story 3, and Small Fry.

Influences and influenced
Rickles' primary influence was Milton Berle. Rickles and Berle appeared in The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. Rickles influenced Jay Leno, David Letterman, Dana Snyder, Howard Stern, Russell Peters, Dave Attell, Lisa Lampanelli, Jerry Seinfeld, Norm Macdonald, and Larry the Cable Guy.

Personal life
Rickles married Barbara Sklar in 1965. They have two children; Larry Rickles (who died in 2011), and Mindy. Rickles also has 2 grandchildren who enjoy his role of Mr. Potato Head more than any other role Rickles ever had. Rickles currently lived in Los Angeles, California. He was a lifelong supporter of the Democratic Party."Time Magazine Interview: Don Rickles" , from Time Magazine

Death
Rickles died on April 6, 2017 of kidney failure in his home in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 90.

Some movies he was in
 The Rat Race (1960)
 Pajama Party (1964)
 Kelly's Heroes (1970)
 Innocent Blood (1992)
 Toy Story (1995) ... Mr. Potato Head (voice)
 Dirty Work (1998)
 Quest for Camelot (1998) ... Cornwall (voice)
 Dennis the Menace Strikes Again (1998)
 Toy Story 2 (1999) ... Mr. Potato Head (voice)
 Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003) ... Cornwall (voice)
 Night of the Country (2004)
 The Last Laugh (2006) (documentary)
 Toy Story 3 (2010) ... Mr. Potato Head (voice)
 Zookeeper (2011)
 Small Fry (2011) (short movie) ... Mr. Potato Head (voice)
 Toy Story 4 (2019) ... Mr. Potato Head (voice)
 Woody's Roundup: The Movie (2019) ... Mr. Potato Head (voice)

Books
 Rickles' Book: A Memoir by Don Rickles and David Ritz (2007)
 Rickles' Letters by Don Rickles and David Ritz (2008)

Discography
 Hello Dummy! (1968)
 Don Rickles Speaks! (1969)

References

Other websites

 Official website


Category:1926 births
Category:2017 deaths
Category:Deaths from renal failure
Category:Disease-related deaths in Los Angeles
Category:Comedians from New York City
Category:American movie actors
Category:American television actors
Category:American stage actors
Category:American voice actors
Category:American radio actors
Category:American television personalities
Category:American radio personalities
Category:Jewish American actors
Category:Democrats (United States)
Category:Actors from New York City
Category:Warner Bros. Records artists