Biografia

When he guest-hosted the December 13, 1976 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962), he accidentally broke the wooden cigarette box which Johnny Carson kept on his desk. When Carson returned to the show the following night and discovered what had happened, he interrupted filming of CPO Sharkey (1976), which Rickles was filming, for a confrontation.

He never wrote down any of his jokes. He always came up with jokes on the spot.

Served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Cyrene in World War II.

He got his nickname "Mr. Warmth" from Johnny Carson.

Aspired to be a serious actor and studied drama at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) before doing stand-up comedy. His classmates included Grace Kelly, Anne Bancroft and Jason Robards.

If I were to insult people and mean it, that wouldn't be funny.

Whatever you do to gain success, you have to hang in there and hope good things happen. Always think positive.

[Asked by Jay Leno if he ever worries that his insult comedy might be too offensive for the audience] You know, every night when I go out on stage, there's always one nagging fear in the back of my mind. I'm always afraid that somewhere out there, there is one person in the audience that I'm NOT going to offend!

[to Frank Sinatra, who arrived during his act] Come on in, Frank. Make yourself at home--hit somebody.

[on Sammy Davis Jr.] You can't get Negro help like that, anymore. Wow, to have a guy who can sing, dance--and dust!