Late comedian Don Rickles is often branded as one of the best comedians, thanks to his quickest wits. He was also known for his sharp tongue among his peers. He was a true original, beloved by his audiences and by the comedy community. However, he became world-famous not by cracking jokes but by insulting his audience.
For his comedic style, he was often regarded as the master insult comic. His sharp wit, sarcasm, and put-downs spared nobody, not even any celebrity. And, Pretty Woman actress Julia Roberts was one of them whom he insulted in a public place where hundreds of A-listers were also present.
Comedian Don Rickles Roasted Julia Roberts in a Hall Full of Celebrities
Don Rickles kept pouring insulting jokes on nightclub stages, in concert halls, and on television and no one, not even any big stars could escape from his roast. And, Julia Roberts once got the taste of his quick insulting jokes. It’s not like his jokes offended people, rather those who were targeted responded gracefully.
At the AFI Tribute to Shirley MacClaine in 2012, Rickles nods to Julia Roberts and says, “You live next to me at the beach, you know that?” (Via Instagram)
Adding sarcasm, “Thanks for all the visits” and tells the audience “I’m living two blocks from her and the broad never shows up.”
And you know what? Roberts happily responds, “We’re closer than two blocks.”
Rickles then quickly responds, “You have no lines, Julia. Just nod.” Surely, that witticism was bold and at the same time shocking. But what made that a beautiful moment was how Roberts later gracefully tackled the situation with the most beautiful, loud laugh that Roberts is known to deliver.
The Legendary Comic Died at 90 as a result of Kidney Failure
Comic Don Rickles, the celebrity roast guest whose career spanned six decades, died in 2017. He was 90. His longtime publicist Paul Shefrin confirmed that the cause of death was kidney failure.
In a career that spanned more than 60 years, Rickles appeared in movies (from Beach Party films of the early ’60s to Casino in 1995) and sitcoms and he voiced Mr. Potato Head in three of Disney’s Toy Story films. He continued to do occasional serious film roles even after his career started to peak as a comedian, appearing with Clint Eastwood in Kelly’s Heroes in 1970 and Robert DeNiro in Martin Scorsese’s Casino.
Though he was called the insult comic, he never liked the tag. “No, I don’t, but I got it, and it stuck with me and it didn’t hurt me,” he said. “Insult, to me, was always something offensive.” (Via USA Today)
Rickles published two best-selling memoirs in 2007 and 2008 and continued to perform stand-up until just before his death. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000, and in 2008, he won an Emmy for the TV documentary Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles Project.
