In 1985, Don Rickles, who died today at 90, performed at President Ronald Reagan’s second inaugural ball, an honor he later called the “highlight of my life.” You wouldn’t know it from his set: the insult comedian revealed he didn’t vote for the president, and later joked/not-joked, “It’s a great pleasure to fly out here from California and be with you for this kind of money.” But before leaving the stage, Rickles looked straight at the First Couple and sincerely offered, “May God be good to you and yours for the coming four years and beyond that. You’re a great gentleman and a great credit to the country. May He give you health, the almighty, and may you reign as long as you wish.”
Don Rickles was the nicest man in the world who only pretended to be the nastiest man in the world (“I’m not really a mean, vicious guy,” he once said.) “Mr. Warmth” was also the main character in thousands of hilarious stories, and an inspiration to millions of comedians and fans of comedy. Look no further than the outpouring of tributes Rickles, who recently stated he was “still going pretty damn good,” received once news of his death broke.
Don Rickles has passed away.
A giant loss.— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) April 6, 2017
I saw Don Rickles at the Daily Show once. He had no idea who I was. He looked at my face & said "Stop worrying. It's all going to be great" https://t.co/jOriPr9tqu
— John Hodgman (@hodgman) April 6, 2017
As I was standing nearby, #DonRickles once whispered in my wife's ear, "What are you doing with a loser like him?" I was honored. #rip #sad
— Kevin Nealon (@kevin_nealon) April 6, 2017
A God died today. Don Rickles, we did not want to ever lose you. Never. Hanx.
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) April 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/JimCarrey/status/850054206647959553
90 years with Don Rickles weren't enough. One of the sweetest and most lovely people I had the pleasure of knowing. We miss you already
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) April 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/FranzNicolay/status/850062298815377408
Don Rickles died and he would have wanted me to call him a mother fucker. RIP.
— Akilah Hughes (@AkilahObviously) April 6, 2017
Aw jeez. Rickles .Sweetest, funniest, legend and mensch. Came to a party at my house gave me a dollar and told me to get a nicer place.#RIP
— Craig Ferguson (@CraigyFerg) April 6, 2017
In lieu of flowers, Don Rickles' family has requested that people drop their pants and fire a rocket. #RIPDonRickles
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) April 6, 2017
My friend, my dad, the funniest biggest hearted of them all. A beautiful husband and father. My heart is broken. Rest In Peace. Don Rickles.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) April 6, 2017
RIP Don Rickles. One of the funniest people that ever lived, you dumb schmuck.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) April 6, 2017
God Bless Don Rickles, aka, Mr. Warmth! Proud to have been heckled by him from the stage many times! #RIP
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) April 6, 2017
Noise/Funk (or Angels?), B'way, 20+ yrs ago, curtain call: I looked down into the 1st row of the audience. Don Rickles. My heart smiled. RIP
— Jeffrey Wright 🥜 (@jfreewright) April 6, 2017
I was honored to b publicly humiliated by this comedy titan a few times! I saw him give an impromptu wedding toast last yr & he killed! https://t.co/eiUUrhG8Ll
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) April 6, 2017
"What, you couldn't bother to put on a suit for work?" – Don Rickles to God right now
— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) April 6, 2017
Rest in peace, ya hockey puck.
