The Tragic Death of Don Rickles & His Wife Barbara

Do you think you know a lot about TV? Try our quiz and enter to win $500!
Click below to check the trivia question

Don Rickles is widely accepted as being one of the most gifted comedians in history. His career spanned an impressive 62 years, from 1955 to 2017. He was particularly revered for his work in insult comedy as a stand up comedian, but also worked as an actor and author.

Like this content? Subscribe here:

Or, watch more videos here:

Don Rickles was born on May 8th, 1926, in Queens to parents Max and Etta Rickles. After his graduation from high school, he enlisted in the army and served in World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946, and decided to make something more of his life.

At first, Don Rickles aspired to be a dramatic actor, and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. For a while, he managed to scrape together a few parts on television, but never landed any major parts. Rickles grew more and more upset with his lack of success in acting. Unfortunately for many aspiring actors, the film and television industries aren’t nearly as glamorous as they seem. Only a lucky few go on to become A-list celebrities, and most actors are stuck playing extras or reciting a few measly lines in single episodes. Most young actors eventually give up, and settle for a quieter life in various careers. Don Rickles, however, was determined to make it as an entertainer.

Realizing he may not have what it takes to be a dramatic actor, he began performing as a stand up comedian in various clubs. Most comedians learn to ignore their hecklers, but Don Rickles had a more direct approach. He responded to and humiliated his hecklers, earning him the reputation of being an insult comedian. In fact, at one point in his career, he even managed to roast the legendary Frank Sinatra himself! Before long, audiences just couldn’t get enough of him. People all over the country realized that Don Rickles was a comedian with guts.

Don Rickles was a master of comedy, and managed to entertain millions throughout his career. However, he also saw his fair share of tragedies throughout his life. He eventually lost his life in 2017, which left his wife of many decades, Barbara Rickles, absolutely devastated. More recently, Barbara Rickles has also tragically died.

In today’s video, we’re going to take a look at the life and legacy of Don Rickles, as well as the tragic death of both himself and his wife. Make sure you stick around, because we’re also going to take a look at how the couple dealt with a devastating and unexpected loss together. We hope you like this video, and don’t forget to subscribe to Facts Verse for more!

The Tragic Death of Don Rickles & His Wife Barbara
Do you think you know a lot about TV? Try our quiz and enter to win $500!
Click below to check the trivia question

[FactsVerse]

Want to be have access to MEMBERS-ONLY content? Click the link below 👇

[ernanidimassa]

I worked with Don many times as the producer of The Mike Douglas Show and on other shows I produced over the years.. He was as nice a human being as I ever met. Off stage and when he was not doing his 'act' you could not have a better friend or a kinder man to spend time with.

[GrandpawTheGreat]

I saw Rickles perform in Lake Tahoe many years ago, and while his act was based on insults, his warmth as a person, always shined through and it was easy to see why so many people loved him. He was truly one of the all time great comedians.

[schnellfahren]

We need more people like him in the world; smart, tough, entertaining, hard working ones.

[lindaharwood]

The loss of your child is the hardest loss 💔
May they rest in peace🙇‍♀️❤

[bernie]

God bless any couple that can stay together for life, especially in the show biz world!

[BedfordFalls]

I have always loved Don Rickles. He is my all time favorite comedian. My sense of humor really enjoyed the way he performed. He was the best. I didn't know he had a son that had died. That's very sad. He did have a great love story and that is pretty special. RIP Don. You are Missed.

[stephaniestanley]

This was a great tribute to a man that brought a lot of joy to me.

[ald]

I wouldn't call a life well lived until age 90 a tragic death/loss. Yes, anyone's death is tragic to a spouse, son, daughter or grandchild but overall, he lived a great life.

[jaapfries]

I am an absolute & long-time fan of Don Rickels. What never ceases to amaze me was his ability to "Paint Instant Pictures" with just a few words and often combined with his facial expressions. I "regurgitate" his many clips on YouTube often and even after watching something 1, 000 times, I can't help but burst-out laughing again. "Mulholland ???!!! I want you to turn left and run into yourself ! ! !" There will never be another Don Rickles

[greyowl]

You both are missed by this ever changing world, and yet we still love you both.
😥🦉

[davegreene]

Don Rickles' legacy continues to bring fun and joy to us fans. The insults were special, and only he could have 'gotten away' with delivering them and doing so without arousing hatred, or worse.
May he and his wife, and their son RIP!

[viking_fisherman]

It’s great to hear that such a celebrity, a true master of his unique craft who put an incalculable number of people on the floor gasping for air as they laughed, was also a master at being a human being. Most of us never had the pleasure of ever meeting Don Rickles so it’s great that those that did are willing to share their stories.

[ckaydw]

Their beloved son. No parent should have to bury their child. Now the three are together and laughing in heaven. God Bless their souls.

[silentnight]

Laughter is medicine and he had the gift of making many people laugh. He and his wife were lucky to be married for 52 happy years and 90 years is a great innings despite those sad losses along the way. R.I.P.

[kathym]

I once saw Don Rickles perform in Las Vegas around 1992. Though I was 28, as he passed in the aisle near where I was sitting he looked at me and joked, “Isn’t it past your bedtime” as he went by 🤣

[eddieschnurr]

Having lost our son at 42, I can attest that there is no greater loss for a parent.

[dariosilva]

Don is the best comedian of all time. You can watch every video of him a thousand times, he still makes you laugh.

[OldManMontgomery]

Courtesy of my job, I met Don Rickles twice. I am one of the few people in the world bearing the honor of personally being called a hockeypuck to my face. Mr. Rickles was one of the warmest men I've ever met. It was a privilege.

[zyxmyk]

my brother and i saw rickles' first appearance on carson's tonight show. it was an explosion. we never laughed harder.