Robert De Niro played Sam “Ace” Rothstein in the movie Casino, a character based on the real-life Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal. Comedian Don Rickles played the supporting character of Billy Sherbert in the movie, a role he secured due to his experience with Las Vegas Casinos. Interestingly, Rickles revealed that while it was Scorsese who invited him for the role, he had to meet De Niro first.
Rickles, most famous for his insult comedy, jokingly remarked that one needed to get past Robert De Niro before meeting Scorsese for the casting process. Scorsese once recalled that Rickles was one of the most difficult actors to manage on the Casino set, not because of his behavior but because he could barely keep his mouth shut.
Don Rickles Had To Meet Robert De Niro For The Role Before Meeting Martin Scorsese
Shortly before the release of Casino in 1995, Don Rickles, who played a role in the movie, appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. The interview was chaotic but in a fun way, as Rickles was at his comedic best. When David Letterman asked about his role in the movie, Rickles commented that being on set for Robert De Niro for 18 weeks was like being alone. Rickles joked that the Raging Bull actor was such a laidback guy.
Furthermore, Rickles discussed how he landed the role. Rickles was shooting another film in Las Vegas when Martin Scorsese invited him to the movie set. Rickles had been acquainted with the real Lefty Rosenthal during his time as a standup comedian in Las Vegas clubs. He revealed that the first step in the casting process of a Scorsese film was to meet De Niro. Don Rickles shared the story along with some insulting jokes about The Intern actor with Letterman:
“I went over to the Belle Hotel to meet Robert De Niro. That was the first step. You had to meet De Niro. If you get by De Niro, then you meet Scorsese. So they called you up and Marty knew all about me and he wanted to meet me. So now I go over to the suite. If you know, Bob’s in the corner in the closet, you know, one of those kind of guys. [I said] ‘Bob, would you come out? I’d like to meet you.’ He said, ‘You know, I have an earache’. And I left.”
Rickles finally met Scorsese who discussed his role in detail and the deal was sealed. When Letterman asked about the importance of the role, whether it was big or small, Rickles responded with, “Does the Academy Awards mean anything to you?”. Rickles played De Niro’s managerial sidekick in the film.
Don Rickles Was More Difficult To Direct Than Robert De Niro On Casino Set
Despite having only a few lines in the film, Scorsese revealed that it was difficult to direct Rickles on set because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. However, The Departed director also revealed that he wanted to bring Rickles on board so badly, stating, “[Rickles] kind of had the whole look, the atmosphere, the whole sense of Vegas.”
Even the infamous temper of De Niro was no match to managing the sharp wit and running mouth of Rickles, who jokingly insulted even the great actor and the director. In one behind-the-scenes moment from the movie, featured on a meetup between the three legends, Robert De Niro forgot his lines and Rickles roasted him on the spot (via AARP):
“For the kind of money you’re making, what do you need a card? Learn the thing. You got a pop-up trailer, sit in there and study … with your method acting, and the breathing, and the bulls***. Read the lines and let’s get out of here.”
Don Rickles passed away on April 6, 2017, at the age of 90. Fans can enjoy Rickles’ role as Billy Sherbert in Casino, now available for streaming on Paramount+.
