 Don Rickles is one of the 20th Century's most famous funny men. For more than 35 years he has appeared in top showrooms in Atlantic City, Reno Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas, where he currently headlines at the Desert Inn. Rickles is also highly visible on TV, as well as in motion pictures, including recent appearances in Universal Pictures' "Casino," directed by Martin Scorsese, appearing with Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci, and "Toy Story," a revolutionary computer animated feature, from Walt Disney Pictures. He is currently in production on two high visibility projects scheduled for 1998 release: the direct-to-video sequel to "Toy Story" and Warner Brothers' "Quest For Camelot," and has just completed filming a role in MGM's "Dirty Work." Additionally, he has starred in live stage productions and, along the way, has had two best-selling comedy albums. Another TV appearance of note came in 1984 when Rickles received one of the highest honors an entertainer can be afforded. He was invited by President Reagan to perform at the televised Inaugural Gala, where he "zinged" the President, the Vice President, the Secretary of State and other of the nation's dignitaries gathered for the occasion. Don Rickles was born in New York City. He attended Newton High School in Elmhurst, Long Island. His father Max was in the clothing and insurance business. His mother was a housewife. He performed in high school plays and at neighborhood dances before starting to work in small nightclubs. At first, Rickles did routine "stand-up" comedy, impressions, jokes, etc. His "insult" style just happened. Two years after his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1946, he was working in nightclubs. Never a great joke-teller in the traditional sense, Rickles suddenly found himself talking directly to the audience and throwing "off the cuff" lines at them. The laughs came and the rest, as they say, is history. Among his proudest moments was the dedication, on February 7, 1982, of the Barbara and Don Rickles Gymnasium at Sinai Temple in West Los Angeles, California. The gymnasium was built with funds raised by Rickles and many of his star friends during a special performance at the Ahmanson Theater in the Los Angeles Music Center.
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