Don Rickles, legendary insult comic, dead of kidney failure at 90

Don Rickles died today, and the comedy world has just lost a legendary giant who paved the way for future insult comics.

If you, as a fan of stand-up comedy, love the so-called “insult comics,” you owe a debt of gratitude to Don Rickles. The comedic legend was an honorary member of the Rat Pack (ask your grandparents) and had a career that spanned more than 60 years. Now, however, the comedy world is just a little less funny, as Don Rickles died today of complications due to kidney failure. He was 90.

According to Variety, Don Rickles died in his home on Thursday morning. His longtime publicist, Paul Shefrin, confirmed the news.

Though the younger generation know him as Mr. Potato Head in the Toy Story film series, Rickles really cut his teeth on the Las Vegas comedy circuit. He eventually became known for the catchphrases “hockey puck” and “dummy,” which he frequently used to insult the audience if they got too rowdy.

Though his popularity crested and waned over the years, he was still cited as a highly influential comic. Where he made his largest impact in the popular culture were the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, which was the template for the Comedy Central Roasts of today. In his heyday, Rickles insulted the likes of Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra, Kirk Douglas and Ronald Reagan (though it may be too soon for the “he didn’t remember” jokes, even if Rickles himself would have appreciated it).

Before Don Rickles died, he had the misfortune of burying many of his contemporaries. Variety reports:

"“In January 2005, Rickles appeared with Bob Newhart, whom he considered his best friend, on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” the day after Johnny Carson’s death to reminisce about their many guest appearances on Carson’s show.”"

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Rickles is survived by his wife, a son, and two grandchildren. Our thoughts are with his family.