Don Rickles is one of comedy’s most famous funnymen. For over 50 years he has appeared in top showrooms in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, as well as concert halls throughout the U.S. and internationally. He is regarded among the world's top entertainers. And he has even become a best selling author with the 2007 release of “Rickles’ Book.” His second book for Simon & Schuster, “Rickles’ Letters,” was released November, 2008.

Throughout his career, Rickles has been highly visible on television. In addition to frequent appearances with such TV talk show hosts as Larry King, Jay Leno, David Letterman and Regis Philbin, he was awarded an Emmy in 2008 for his performance in the highly acclaimed, John Landis-directed documentary “Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project,” which debuted on HBO in December 2007. The show itself was also honored with an Emmy as Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special and is now available on DVD.

Don has also made his mark in theatrical motion pictures, including appearing in “Casino,” which starred Robert De Niro, Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci, and was directed by Martin Scorsese. He also appeared in the revolutionary computer animated features, “Toy Story 1 and 2” for Walt Disney Pictures, and the now cult classic, “Kelly’s Heroes,” as well as early career roles in “Run Silent, Run Deep” and “Rat Race.” Rickles was recently seen in the TNT television movie “The Wool Cap,” which stars William H. Macy. Additionally, he has starred in live stage productions and, along the way, has had two best-selling comedy albums. A small step forward in Rickles' career occurred in 1957 at a small Hollywood nightclub. One night, Frank Sinatra wandered in. Rickles, still "unknown," eyed Sinatra and said, "I just saw your movie, 'The Pride and the Passion,' and I want to tell you, the cannon was great." And, "Make yourself at home, Frank. Hit somebody."

Sinatra doubled up laughing and became one of Rickles' biggest boosters among Hollywood celebrities. Rickles soon became the "in" comic among the Hollywood stars, who flocked to his nightclub engagements to become the targets of his "insults."

In 1959, Rickles signed for his first Las Vegas appearance. He clicked immediately and has headlined there every year since. In the mid ‘60’s, even though he had attained some success in nightclubs, Rickles was still far from a national name. He had been working in clubs, and doing television and motion picture acting assignments for more than 15 years.

Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact moment of his breakthrough, Rickles believes the ball really started rolling on the night of October 7, 1965, during his first appearance on Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show." His freewheeling performance that night became the talk of the show business industry and caused nationwide comment among the press and public.

The next important breakthrough for Rickles occurred during the summer of 1967. He was signed to appear on "The Dean Martin Show." Rickles, in his first guest appearance on a major prime-time variety show, scored a major success. Immediately after taping his first appearance on "The Dean Martin Show," Rickles was signed for a second guest shot on that program. Celebrities were invited to sit in the audience to become the targets of Rickles' “insults.” Rickles did not know as he walked onstage who he'd be confronting. Among others he faced that night were Danny Thomas, Jackie Cooper, Bob Newhart, Lena Horne, Dean Martin, Ernest Borgnine, Don Adams, Ricardo Montalban and Pat Boone. He proceeded to ad-lib for one hour (eventually edited down to 20 minutes for the show). For weeks afterwards, people throughout the country repeated Rickles' lines. Particularly memorable was his remark as Bob Hope walked into the studio and took a seat. It was during the Vietnam War. Rickles snapped, “What’s Bob Hope doing here? Is the war over.”

Meanwhile, the public was discovering that behind the sharp Rickles’ barbs was deep affection and love for those whom he seemed to be taunting. "If I were to insult people and mean it, that wouldn't be funny," Rickles told an interviewer. "There is a difference between an actual insult and just having fun." By year's end all three major networks and every major independent producer were besieging Rickles with ideas for a TV series of his own. He has since starred in prime time series for ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX. During the ‘70’s and ‘80’s, Rickles also hosted or co-hosted seven television specials.

Another TV appearance of note came in 1984 when Rickles received one of the highest honors an entertainer can be afforded. He was invited by President Reagan to perform at the televised Inaugural Gala, where he "zinged" the President, the Vice President and other of the nation's dignitaries gathered for the occasion.

Over the course of his career Rickles has received numerous accolades and awards, including Caesar’s Palace’s first ever Laurel Award and the United States Comedy & Arts Festival’s 2007 Pinnacle Award acknowledging his body of work. In April of 2009, TV Land honored him with the “Legend Award.”