Don Rickles: The Merchant of Venom

Starr, Michael Seth

ISBN 10: 0806541733 / ISBN 13: 9780806541730

Published by Citadel, 2024

Fast Free Shipping â Excellent condition book with clean cover and pages. Barely handled, with minimal wear. An outstanding copy, close to enjoy! Seller Inventory # GWV.0806541733.LN

Synopsis:

Having ridden a wave of success that lasted more than sixty years, Don Rickles is best known as the 'insult' comic who skewered presidents, royalty, celebrities, and friends and fans alike. But there was more to 'Mr. Warmth' than a devilish ear-to-ear grin and lightning-fast put-downs. Rickles was a loving husband, an adoring father who suffered a devastating loss, and a loyal friend to the likes of Bob Newhart and Frank Sinatra. Don was also a young student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and intended to become a serious actor. But it was in small nightclubs where he found success, steamrolling hecklers, honing his acerbic put-downs, and teaching the world to love being insulted. Don Rickles, The Merchant of Venom traces his career from his rise in the 1950s to a late-in-life resurgence thanks to the Toy Story franchise, his role in Scorsese's Casino, and scores of TV appearances from Carson to Seth Meyers. In the intervening decades, Rickles conquered every medium, including the stage, where the Vegas legend was still performing at the age of eighty-five. In his highly memorable career, he was idolised by a generation of younger comedians including Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, and many others. And all along, Rickles performed in the shadow of a shocking open secret: he was the nicest man in town.

About the Author: Michael Seth Starr covered television at the New York Post as a reporter, columnist, critic, and editor for over 28 years. He has written a filmography of Peter Sellers and biographies of Rodney Dangerfield, Don Rickles, Bob Newhart, Art Carney, Joey Bishop, Bobby Darin, Raymond Burr, William Shatner, Redd Foxx, and Ringo Starr. He has made frequent appearances on television including The Today Show, Access Hollywood, Good Morning America, The Early Show, Larry King Live, Extra, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Inside Edition, Entertainment Tonight, and Tavis Smiley. He lives in New Jersey and can be found online at MichaelSethStarr.com.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Don Rickles: The Merchant of Venom
Publisher: Citadel
Publication Date: 2024
Binding: Soft cover
Condition: like_new