Hollywood Reacts to the Death of Comic Legend Don Rickles
Legendary comedian Don Rickles died Thursday morning at his home in Los Angeles from kidney failure. He was 90. Revered as the king of the insult comics, “Mr. Warmth,” as he was sarcastically nicknamed, was beloved by Hollywood.
“He was called ‘The Merchant of Venom,’ but in truth, he was one of the kindest, caring, and most sensitive human beings we have ever known,” his friends Bob and Ginnie Newhart said in a joint statement. “We are devastated and our world will never be the same. We were totally unprepared for this.”
David Letterman said of the late comic, “Don coming on our show was always a highlight for me. Just endless mischief and nonsense, and a guy who would make the audience go completely crazy. Such a professional, such a gentleman. I already miss him.”
Check out the many other tributes rolling in on social media from Rickles’s fellow comedians on as well as other people in the biz.
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
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) 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
A God died today. Don Rickles, we did not want to ever lose you. Never. Hanx.
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) April 6, 2017
Being skewered by Don Rickles was side-splitting funny.
A gentle soul with rapid fire wit. xoB pic.twitter.com/yl2mnT32Zz— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) April 6, 2017
Greatest Of All Time https://t.co/b7q4wmpFX0
— Jeff Ross (@realjeffreyross) April 6, 2017
I was honored to b publicly humiliated by this comedy titan a few times! I saw him give an impromptu wedding toast last yr & he killed! https://t.co/eiUUrhG8Ll
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) April 6, 2017
A post shared by @amyschumer on Apr 6, 2017 at 11:30am PDT
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
Don Rickles is one of the biggest reasons I am a comic today. I feel bad,
mostly for everyone in Heaven who will no… https://t.co/q747UcMS6c— Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) April 6, 2017
#DonRickles was an absolute legend, my favorite comedian, and also my friend. Rest in peace.
— Mark Wahlberg (@mark_wahlberg) April 6, 2017
The world just got a lot less funny and just when we needed it the most. I will treasure our friendship forever sweet Don. #RIPDonRickles pic.twitter.com/SGw5YF5GdK
— John Stamos (@JohnStamos) 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
A post shared by Judd Apatow (@juddapatow) on Apr 6, 2017 at 1:52pm PDT
Don Rickles was one the absolute greats. I feel lucky for the times I was ever in his orbit, my thoughts are with his family today x
— James Corden (@JKCorden) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles has passed away.
A giant loss.— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) 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 Rickles
JFK/LAX we spoke for 3 hours while his beautiful wife Barbara slept.
Don Rickles was so kind to me I forgot we'd never met
LOVE— Jay Mohr (@jaymohr37) April 6, 2017
????????????Don Rickles????????????
— Whitney Cummings (@WhitneyCummings) April 6, 2017
RIP Don Rickles. Legend.
— Jim Gaffigan (@JimGaffigan) April 6, 2017
RIP to this sweet and lovely man pic.twitter.com/j8mseq1aSY
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) April 6, 2017
RIP Don Rickles. One of the funniest people that ever lived, you dumb schmuck.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) 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 The Don.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) April 6, 2017
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
RIP Mr. Warmth— bobby cannavale (@bobbycannavale) April 6, 2017
Rickles was awesome.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) April 6, 2017
If you want to laugh, go to YouTube and watch him on The Tonight Show with Sinatra. Possibly one of the funniest people ever. Ever!
— Joy Behar (@JoyVBehar) April 6, 2017
The Merchant Of Venom, legendary comedian @DonRickles passed away at 90. I just interviewed him. The sweetest guy, great hubby & dad. pic.twitter.com/lsCsGdJxXu
— Al Roker (@alroker) April 6, 2017
Awwww man Rickles is dead. Rest In Peace buddy.
— Danny DeVito (@DannyDeVito) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles was a cyclone of funny with a heart of gold. Is God ready for your maniacal wit? Would love to hear what you said on arrival.
— Lewis Black (@TheLewisBlack) April 6, 2017
We lost one of the comedic greats today. ???? Thank you, Don Rickles, for showing all of us how to be fearless with comedy. #RIPDonRickles pic.twitter.com/cTeZVkFfaN
— Sean Hayes (@SeanHayes) April 6, 2017
#Respect https://t.co/FTPbJUCtlx
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) 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
RIP Don Rickles, 90.
One of the funniest men who ever lived. pic.twitter.com/8RvD1hGj2R— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) April 6, 2017
Don Rickles was simply the best. He created insult comedy &yet every 1 of his targets felt loved and honored. One of a kind.#RIPdonrickles
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) 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
#RIPDonRickles God's gonna get a good roasting real soon.
— Carson Daly (@CarsonDaly) April 6, 2017
— Topher Grace (@TopherGrace) April 6, 2017
Thanks for the laughs too numerous to count, Mr. Rickles. RIP #donrickles
— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) April 6, 2017
One person I always wanted to meet and shake hands with.
RIP Don Rickles— Eric Stonestreet (@ericstonestreet) April 6, 2017
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