I have have just read Don Rickles has just turned 88. He has made us laugh, even when he was a little bit mean. They called him Mr. Warmth for his berating insults.
This is so true but I myself have found him generous and kind.
I met him in the late ‘70s at the Resorts hotel in Atlantic City. At that time there was only one casino up and running.
My girlfriend at the time had bought tickets for his show that night and they were great seats and were right up front.
Now as I was told he would often pick people from the audience to help him with his skits.
Well low and behold he pick one young man and myself to help with this skit. I don’t remember what it was about being so long ago but he did make fun of us with his brand of comedy and everyone laughed.
When the skit was over he thanked us for being such good sports and gave me a slap on my butt as I was leaving.
He than gave my girlfriend a magnum of champagne and jokingly called us Fred and Ethel.
Well Don Rickles let me say happy 88th birthday and many more years of laughter for you are one of a kind.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village
