It’s hard to say goodbye to someone who brought so much laughter into our lives. Rest in peace, Don Rickles. The man who could make even the toughest crowd crack up has left an indelible mark on comedy and entertainment as a whole.
Just a month before his passing on April 6, the legendary Hollywood actor and comedian sat down exclusively with Closer Weekly to reflect on his incredible journey in show business. In what turned out to be his final interview, Don opened up about his remarkable career and the milestone of turning 90 years old.
In that conversation, Don shared how time seemed to fly by. “Honestly, I didn’t realize it — all of a sudden I was 90,” he told Closer. “The years skipped by quickly. When it happened, I said, ‘Where did the time go?’”
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This photo captures Don in June 2016, a year before his passing.
Don’s act was all about authenticity. He didn’t rehearse or write things down. It was all spontaneous. “I don’t practice or write stuff down — everything I do onstage was just made up before I went on,” Don explained to Closer. “You can’t please everyone, but I’ve been fortunate in that my fans are in my corner.”
And let’s be real, who wouldn’t want to be in Don’s corner? His quick wit and ability to turn any situation into comedy made him a household name. But it wasn’t always about being a comedian. After serving in the Navy during World War II, an experience he credited with shaping him into a mature man, Don pursued acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
“When I was at temple affairs or any other kind of function, my mother would say, ‘Get up there,’ and I was always able to make people laugh,” Don reminisced with Closer. “Little by little, I started to take it seriously.”
Here’s a glimpse of Don back in 1960, when his career was really starting to take off.
Audiences Were Always Key
Don understood that whether you’re performing for 10 people or 300, the connection with the audience is everything. “If people keep showing up to see you, then it’s still a high,” he said. And at 90, he wasn’t ready to slow down. “At 90, I’m still going pretty damn good,” he told Closer. “And it’s nice because I have no plans to slow down.”
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For more insights from Don, including his close friendship with crooner Frank Sinatra, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now!
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