Don Rickles has died at the age of 90, Us Weekly confirms. According to a statement from his rep, the legendary comedian-actor passed away at his home in L.A. on Thursday, April 6, from kidney failure. He would have been 91 on May 8.
The Queens native got his start in Hollywood when Frank Sinatra saw him perform stand-up at a Hollywood club in 1957. He went on to star in The Don Rickles Show in 1972 and also appeared on shows such as The Andy Griffith Show, The Bob Hope Show and CPO Sharkey.
More recently, he guest-starred on Hot in Cleveland and voiced Mr. Potato Head in the Toy Story franchise. It was announced on October 6 that the fourth film’s release date would be pushed back to 2019.
Rickles is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara; his daughter Mindy Mann; and two grandchildren. Rickles’ son, Larry, died from respiratory failure due to pneumonia in December 2011. He was 41.
A private funeral service will be held for the late star. His family requests that donations be made to the Larry Rickles Endowment Fund at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Many stars paid tribute to Rickles following the news of his death. “Don Rickles is one of the biggest reasons I am a comic today,” Tim Allen, who voices Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story, told Us in a statement. “I feel bad, mostly for everyone in Heaven who will now learn first hand from the sharpest wits ever, what it’s like to be Rickled.”
“Don Rickles was simply the best,” Seinfeld alum Jason Alexander tweeted. “He created insult comedy &yet every 1 of his targets felt loved and honored. One of a kind. #RIPdonrickles.” Billy Crystal added: “Don Rickles has passed away. A giant loss.”
Read more reactions below:
90 years with Don Rickles weren’t enough. One of the sweetest and most lovely people I had the pleasure of knowing. We miss you already
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles has passed away.
A giant loss.— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) April 6, 2017
RIP Don Rickles. One of the funniest people that ever lived, you dumb schmuck.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) April 6, 2017
One person I always wanted to meet and shake hands with.
RIP Don Rickles— Eric Stonestreet (@ericstonestreet) April 6, 2017
In lieu of flowers, Don Rickles’ family has requested that people drop their pants and fire a rocket. #RIPDonRickles
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 6, 2017
Once in a lifetime a comedian like #DonRickles comes along. And as good a friend as anyone could have. I love you and will miss you Don.
— David Steinberg (@david_steinberg) April 6, 2017
Aw jeez. Rickles .Sweetest, funniest, legend and mensch. Came to a party at my house gave me a dollar and told me to get a nicer place.#RIP
— Craig Ferguson (@CraigyFerg) April 6, 2017
RIP to this sweet and lovely man pic.twitter.com/j8mseq1aSY
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) April 6, 2017
One of the funniest, ballsiest comics of all time. RIP Don Rickles. pic.twitter.com/wF9rPQjjVz
— Jim Norton (@JimNorton) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles Dick Cavett 1972 https://t.co/REXcC6GtAF
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) April 6, 2017
Hockey puck. We’ve lost @DonRickles I love him so. Smart, funny, a pro and most important deeply and honestly kind. Kind is what matters.
— Penn Jillette (@pennjillette) April 6, 2017
My friend, my dad, the funniest biggest hearted of them all. A beautiful husband and father. My heart is broken. Rest In Peace. Don Rickles.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) April 6, 2017
NOOOOOO not Rickles there’s so many others to take not Don Rickles
— Ike Barinholtz (@ikebarinholtz) April 6, 2017
God bless #DonRickles It was a pleasure meeting you and an honor to be insulted by you. Be careful in Heaven, they don’t ‘Roast’ there. RIP
— Nigel Lythgoe OBE (@dizzyfeet) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles, you kept us laughing for so many years. We will miss you dearly. Thanks for the zingers. You were one of a kind.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) April 6, 2017
As I was standing nearby, #DonRickles once whispered in my wife’s ear, “What are you doing with a loser like him?” I was honored. #rip #sad
— Kevin Nealon (@kevin_nealon) April 6, 2017
Don once begged me for a couple of bucks then told me to twist myself into a pretzel. Ego slayer! Comic Everest! Spank you, Mr Rickles. ;^)
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) April 6, 2017
He never was Politically Correct and he never apologized for it. R.I.P. Don Rickles @DonRickles
— Gilbert Gottfried (@RealGilbert) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles created a style of stand up and owned (!!!) it his entire career of 60+ years. It’s unparalleled. No, I mean, NO ONE did that.
— Kevin Pollak (@kevinpollak) April 6, 2017
???Don Rickles???
— Whitney Cummings (@WhitneyCummings) April 6, 2017
Unbelievably sad at the loss of Don Rickles. A good friend, and the last of the Greats! It wont be the same without you. RIP. You did good .
— Suzanne Somers (@SuzanneSomers) April 6, 2017
