Don Rickles was an iconic personality in the world of comedy and entertainment, renowned for his biting wit, humorous comments, and unique ability to make people laugh. Due to his fame and skill, he was able to amass a fortune throughout his long and successful career. But beyond the statistics, Rickles will forever be remembered as a forefather of insult humour who paved the way for future comics. As a result, Don Rickles net worth will be the topic of today’s article.
Table of Contents
Don Rickles Bio, Wiki & Wife Name
Category | Details |
Full Name | Donald Jay Rickles |
Date of Birth | May 8, 1926 |
Place of Birth | Queens, New York, USA |
Date of Death | April 6, 2017 |
Place of Death | Beverly Hills, California, USA |
Occupation | Stand-up Comedian, Actor, Voice Actor |
Years Active | 1950–2017 |
Known For | Insult comedy, role as Mr. Potato Head in Toy Story franchise |
Wife | Barbara Sklar (m. 1965–2017) |
Children | 2 (Larry Rickles, Mindy Rickles) |
Net Worth (as of 2024) | Approximately $30 million |
Notable Works | Stand-up comedy, Toy Story (Voice of Mr. Potato Head), Casino, Kelly’s Heroes |
Awards | Primetime Emmy Award (2008), Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame |
Signature Comedy Style | Insult comedy |
Education | American Academy of Dramatic Arts |
Military Service | United States Navy (WWII Veteran) |
Earlier Years
Don Rickles was born on May 8, 1926 · Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, New York, USA.
Rickles entered the Navy after graduating from Newton High School in 1944, and he stayed there until 1946 when he was finally discharged with distinction. So, Rickles went to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to train to be an actor. But he had difficulty getting acting roles, so he switched to stand-up comedy instead.
He began playing stand-up in significant cities, including New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, where his improvised humour earned him a reputation as an insult comic. After moving to Hollywood in 1953, Rickles began appearing in supporting roles in feature films and doing stand-up comedy. With time, Rickles rose to fame and became known as one of the finest insult comedians in the business.
Career
After over 20 years in the club scene, Don Rickles made his big screen debut in the smash hit military drama Run Silent Run Deep (1958). Following that, he became more committed to acting and his filmography now. Despite this, he continued spreading his comedy, frequently appearing on Dean Martin’s Celebrity Roasts from 1973 through 1984 and paying homage to pals like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, and Lucille Ball. In the two-year-long television series “CPO Sharkey” (1976), he portrayed an acerbic U.S. Navy officer.
Starting in 1983, Rickles co-hosted “Foul-Ups, Bleeps & Blunders” with Steve Lawrence and performed in Las Vegas performances together. In 1995, he had a significant return, costarring with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen in the Pixar film Toy Story and as Billy Sherbert in Martin Scorsese’s “Casino.” Rickles had planned to voice Mr Potato Head again in “Toy Story 4” until his untimely death prevented this from happening.
“One Night Only: An All-Star Tribute to Don Rickles,” a 2014 tribute, featured Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, David Letterman, Robert De Niro, Regis Philbin, Nathan Lane, and Jerry Seinfeld. On May 11, 2015, he appeared as a guest on one of David Letterman’s last episodes of “The Late Show.”
Don Rickles Net Worth
Don Rickles had an approximated $30 million in net worth at the time of his demise in 2017. This was primarily because he had an entertaining and successful career that lasted sixty years. In addition, people around the globe adored Rickles because of his unique brand of humour and ability to make them laugh in the face of adversity.
Individual Matters
The wedding of Don Rickles and Barbara Sklar took place on March 14, 1965. Together they spent 52 happy years raising their children, comedians Mindy and Larry Rickles. Don, then 38 years old, met Barbara, who he found attractive even though she did not find his jokes humorous. They were good friends with Bob Newhart and his wife and often took vacations. Larry, their only son, died of pneumonia in 2011 at 41. Don had trouble finding love as a younger man but found it with Barbara. In 2017, at 90, Don died away from renal failure. Barbara was at his side. The day after what would have been their 56th wedding anniversary, Barbara died away from non-Hodgkins lymphoma on March 14, 2021.
Automotive/Real Estate
Don Rickles spent $1.875 million in 2003 for a 1-acre gated estate in Malibu, California. The home had a private beach, an outdoor tennis court with lights, and a spacious lawn. Initially listed by Rickles for just under $8 million in December 2016, the property was sold by his heirs to the founder of Equinox fitness clubs for $6.5 million. When the new homeowner isn’t utilizing the property, he rents it for $25,000.
Although Rickles seldom discussed his collection, he was said to have three vintage automobiles. The first was an Eldorado Biarritz from 1958, a Cadillac worth around $225,000. In addition, he had a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 that was valued at over $135,000. Finally, his dream automobile, a Pontiac Firebird from 1977, was likewise quite pricey for its day.
Last Words
In sum, Don Rickles was a very diverse and multifaceted figure in the entertainment industry. He had a lasting impact on the entertainment industry with his one-of-a-kind brand of humour and bold approach to comedy, making him a cultural legend. Even while Don Rickles net worth is substantial, it is just a tiny fraction of what he has left behind for future generations to enjoy. We may take solace in knowing that Rickles, and everything he did for comedy, will live on in our hearts and minds forever via his wit and legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is Don Rickles net worth?
At the time of his death in 2017, Don Rickles’ net worth was around $30 million. His fortune accumulated over a long career as a stand-up comedian, actor and television personality.
Q2: What are some of Don Rickles’ most famous movies and TV shows?
Don Rickles was known for his comedy and theatrics. His most famous films include:
Kikyatow (1995)
Kelly’s Heroes (1970) .
Toy Story franchise (as the voice of Mr. Potato Head) .
On television, Rickles starred in several roles e.g.
The Don Rickles Show
C.P.O. Written by Sharkey
Guest appearances on The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson and The Dean Martin Show.
Q3: Who was Don Rickles’ wife?
Dawn Rickles married Barbara Sklar. They married in 1965 and lived together until his death. They had two children, Mindy and Larry.
Q4: When did Don Rickles die?
Don Rickles passed away on April 6, 2017 at the age of 90 due to kidney failure. He left a legacy as one of the most popular characters in comics.