Rickles' Book

The intimate, hilarious, and wholly unexpected memoir of the legendary comedian Don Rickles, told with great humor, outrageous anecdotes, and unusual candor.

Known as the “Merchant of Venom” for his sharp, biting insults, Don Rickles blends humor with heartfelt stories as he recalls his rise from a struggling young performer to one of America’s most beloved entertainers. He shares anecdotes about his early days in nightclubs, his big breaks on television, and his long-standing friendships with Hollywood legends like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Johnny Carson, and Bob Newhart.

Beyond the comedy, Rickles reflects on his marriage, family, and the values that kept him grounded through decades in show business. Rickles’ Book mixes laugh-out-loud stories, celebrity encounters, and self-deprecating humor with moments of genuine warmth, offering fans both the laughs they expect and an intimate glimpse of the man behind the quick wit.

Author Biography

Don Rickles (1926–2017) was a comedian and actor. Born in Queens, New York, he rose to fame in the 1960s with his sharp wit and fearless brand of humor. Rickles became a fixture on late-night television, a beloved guest of Johnny Carson and David Letterman, and a regular performer in Las Vegas. Beyond stand-up, he enjoyed a successful acting career, appearing in films such as Kelly’s Heroes and Casino, and voicing Mr. Potato Head in Pixar’s Toy Story franchise.

David Ritz is a songwriter who has collaborated with stars like Janet Jackson and Marvin Gaye, as well as a renowned ghostwriter who has authored more than fifty books for some of the biggest stars in music: Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Lenny Kravitz, Joe Perry, Smokey Robinson, Don Rickles, and Willie Nelson, to name a few. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Essence, People, Art Connoisseur, and elsewhere. He lives in Los Angeles with Roberta, his wife of nearly fifty years.