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Donald Jay "Don" Rickles (May 8, 1926April 6, 2017) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author who is best known as an insult comic, playing both comedic and dramatic roles in film and television. He is best known for voicing Mr. Potato Head from the Toy Story series.

Tributes[]

Upon hearing of his death, a number of television hosts and other actors paid tribute to his comedy talents. Among them was a tribute by Jimmy Kimmel, who recalled Rickles as a "towering presence in Las Vegas," where Kimmel grew up. Seth Meyers, said "there's nothing better than getting burned by Don Rickles", while David Letterman noted that Rickles "was always a highlight for me. Just endless mischief and nonsense, and a guy who would make the audience go completely crazy."

Don Rickles was a giant, a legend … and I can hear his voice now, skewering me for being so lofty. I had the honor of working with him on my picture Casino. He was a professional. He kept me doubled over with laughter every day on the set — yet he was a complete pro.
―Director Martin Scorsese who directed him in Casino in 1995


Don Rickles was a comic genius, and here at Pixar we were honored to also call him a friend. The wit, personality, and incredible timing he brought to Mr. Potato Head lit up the character and made him an essential part of the Toy Story ensemble. Even though Mr. Potato Head's facial features fell off in every Toy Story movie hisheart never left him - that was because of Don. We will miss him tremendously.
John Lasseter, director of Toy Story from Pixar.


For Rickles' 88th birthday in 2014, a number of stars helped celebrate it with a televised special, One Night Only: An All Star Tribute to Don Rickles. Among them was Jerry Seinfeld, who described Rickles as part of "the Mount Rushmore of stand-up comedy."

Warner Bros. media roles[]

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