Don Rickles's Real Name: Donald Jay Rickles
Don Rickles → Donald Jay Rickles
Quick answer: The comedian is known professionally as Don Rickles. Britannica and the Associated Press independently identify him as Donald Jay Rickles. Britannica dates his birth to May 8, 1926, in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, and his death to April 6, 2017, in Los Angeles. The Associated Press independently says he was born in 1926 in Queens, would have been 91 on May 8, and died Thursday morning, April 6, 2017 (Britannica; Associated Press).
Real name and early life
He is known professionally as Don Rickles. Britannica gives the full name Donald Jay Rickles and dates his birth to May 8, 1926, in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, U.S. An Associated Press report updated April 6, 2017, independently says Donald Jay Rickles was born in 1926 in New York City's borough of Queens and that he would have been 91 on May 8.
Career highlights
Britannica describes him as an American comedian and actor known for a cheerfully belligerent brand of humor that relied heavily on ad-libbed insults, and it cites film work including Run Silent, Run Deep (1958), Kelly's Heroes (1970), Martin Scorsese's Casino (1995), and the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the Toy Story films (1995, 1999, and 2010). The Associated Press independently calls him the acknowledged grandmaster of insult comedy and "Mr. Warmth," says that for more than half a century he headlined casinos and nightclubs, and independently names Kelly's Heroes, Casino, and the Toy Story films. Britannica also notes frequent appearances on The Tonight Show, the short-lived variety program The Don Rickles Show (1968–69), and earlier films such as Bikini Beach (1964). The Associated Press independently says he appeared in four Beach Party films in the 1960s.
Death
Britannica says he died on April 6, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. The Associated Press, datelined Los Angeles and updated April 6, 2017, independently says he suffered kidney failure and died Thursday morning at his home, at age 90, according to his longtime publicist and friend, Paul Shefrin.
Name notes for searchers
People looking up Don Rickles or Donald Jay Rickles are looking for the same Queens-born comedian, later known for insult comedy. Britannica and the Associated Press independently support the fuller name.
FAQ
What is Don Rickles's real name?
Donald Jay Rickles, according to Britannica and the Associated Press. He is known professionally as Don Rickles.
When and where was he born?
May 8, 1926, in Queens, New York, according to Britannica, which specifies Jackson Heights, and the Associated Press, which dates the birth to 1926 in Queens and says he would have been 91 on May 8.
When and where did he die?
April 6, 2017, in Los Angeles, according to Britannica. The Associated Press says he died that Thursday morning at his home, of kidney failure.
What was he best known for?
Insult comedy, according to Britannica and the Associated Press.