Don Rickles made a career doing something nobody else dared to do: insulting some of the most powerful and famous people in the world right to their faces.
Years ago my girlfriend worked for a caterer in Beverly Hills, and worked a dinner party at Bob Newharts' home. The guests were Sinatra and his wife Nancy, Don Rickles & his wife, Dick Martin and his wife Dolly, Jay Leno and his wife Mayvis and Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme. She said Rickles made it a point to come into the kitchen and personally thank everyone for a lovely evening. Could not have been nicer and more complimentary. And best of all, she said, he was totally sincere.
Rickles was actually sitting in for Carson one night and accidentally broke a cigarette box he had since his days in New York. Rickles tried to hide on the set. Rickles was staring on a show called CPO Sharkey at NBC and was taping Next door. Carson got up from his desk, had a Camera follow him on to the set of Rickles' show and asked him about the box. It was hilarious.
Foster Brooks roasted Don Rickles suggesting he was fooling around with Don Rickle's wife. Don was laughing hysterically. Seeing two comedy masters sharing their talents together. I miss all the masters of comedy that are no longer with us to share their talents. 😥
My favorite Rickles' story about Frank Sinatra: Before Don married his last wife he was on a date in a restaurant when he saw Frank Sinatra. He went over to Frank's table and, in a low voice, asked Frank if he would stop Don's table on his way out to say hello and that it would impress Don's date. When Frank finished his meal, he stopped by Don's table to greet him, as requested, and Rickles' reaction was to say, "Frank! Can't you see I'm in the middle of dinner? Why are you interrupting me?"
Powerful men: Sinatra, Carson and Reagan! Rickels himself was ...powerful, they were buddies for life, the roasting was just an act for public eyes and they made big bucks from it....
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