---
name: "Don Rickles"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/don-rickles"
fi1m_id: "don-rickles"
imdb_id: "nm0725543"
tmdb_id: 7167
wikidata_id: "Q269890"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "8 May 1926"
died: "6 April 2017"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 85
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-09-17T14:50:04.093514+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Don Rickles

## Identity

Don Rickles

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/don-rickles
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** don-rickles
- **IMDb ID:** nm0725543
- **TMDB ID:** 7167
- **Wikidata ID:** Q269890
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Rickles, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q269890, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0725543/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7167

Actor. Born 8 May 1926 in Queens, New York City, New York, USA. Died 6 April 2017.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 8 May 1926, Queens, New York City, New York, USA
- **Died:** 6 April 2017
- **Active:** 1959–2019
- **Also known as:** Mr. Warmth, 唐·里柯斯
- **Frequently works with:** [Tim Allen](https://film.one/person/tim-allen.md), [Tom Hanks](https://film.one/person/tom-hanks.md), [Andrew Stanton](https://film.one/person/andrew-stanton.md), [Joan Cusack](https://film.one/person/joan-cusack.md), [John Lasseter](https://film.one/person/john-lasseter.md), [Wallace Shawn](https://film.one/person/wallace-shawn.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 85, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 84 (1), 1990s 88 (3), 2010s 82 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 86 to 84 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Animation 4, Comedy 4, Family 4, Adventure 2, Drama 2, Crime 1
- **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,717m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Rickles, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q269890, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0725543/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7167

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Toy Story*](https://film.one/film/toy-story.md) (92), [*Toy Story 2*](https://film.one/film/toy-story-2.md) (89), [*Toy Story 3*](https://film.one/film/toy-story-3.md) (87)
- **Tubi:** [*Casino*](https://film.one/film/casino.md) (82)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Don Rickles

> Don Rickles makes a character’s bad temper worth listening to. We value the sharpness he brings to *Toy Story*: he can be funny without being agreeable, and the other voices benefit from having him there.

Mr. Potato Head sounds as though he has already had enough of the conversation. In John Lasseter’s *Toy Story* (1995), Don Rickles voices the character with enough irritation to make the other toys more interesting to listen to. We rate this kind of supporting work highly: a distinct voice, a useful source of friction, no need to take over the film. Rickles makes pettiness funny without asking us to find it charming.

His film work had room for more than the insult comic familiar from nightclubs and talk shows. *Run Silent, Run Deep* (1958) gave him his film debut in a supporting role, and *Kelly’s Heroes* (1970) placed him in an ensemble as Staff Sergeant Crapgame. Then *Casino* (1995) gave him a substantial dramatic part as Billy Sherbert, a no-nonsense casino employee, under Martin Scorsese. That same year, *Toy Story* brought his voice to a new generation. The two parts are a useful warning against treating his screen work as an extension of his stage act.

The screenplay by Joss Whedon, Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow and Andrew Stanton is important to what Rickles achieves in *Toy Story*. It trusts a family audience to recognise pettiness without having it explained, leaving the voices to supply the comedy. Rickles is sharp, while Wallace Shawn’s Rex sounds worried about having joined the conversation at all. We laughed at that contrast, because the irritation and anxiety make the supporting toys feel like awkward company with concerns of their own. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen carry the main dispute; the other voices give us reasons to care about the rest of the toys.

The nightclub style is not equally persuasive in every setting. The ethnic and personal humour of his roast appearances can feel dated and too caustic, even allowing for the exaggerated delivery. We prefer him when the irritation has a character to serve and other voices to work against, as it does in *Toy Story*. Start there, and give the supporting toys some attention even when Woody and Buzz are doing the quarrelling.

## Biography

Don Rickles was an American stand-up comedian and actor. He was born Donald Jay Rickles on 8 May 1926 in Queens, New York City, and died on 6 April 2017 in Los Angeles.

Rickles studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. He appeared in films including *Run Silent, Run Deep* (1958) and *Casino* (1995), in which he played Billy Sherbert. He voiced Mr. Potato Head in the *Toy Story* series, beginning with the 1995 film, and reprised the role in subsequent entries using archival recordings after his death. He also had starring roles in television series such as *C.P.O. Sharkey* (1976–1978).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, britannica.com, disney.fandom.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (6)

- *Toy Story 4* (2019), Fi1m 78, as Mr. Potato Head (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-4.md)
- *Toy Story 3* (2010), Fi1m 87, as Mr. Potato Head (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-3.md)
- *Toy Story 2* (1999), Fi1m 89, as Mr. Potato Head (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-2.md)
- *Casino* (1995), Fi1m 82, as Billy Sherbert — [page](https://film.one/film/casino.md)
- *Toy Story* (1995), Fi1m 92, as Mr. Potato Head (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story.md)
- *The Twilight Zone* (1959), Fi1m 84, as Bettor — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md)

## Complete filmography (83)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Don Rickles Live Mystic Lake* (2024), Writer
- *Don Rickles Live in Pala 2013* (2024), Writer
- *Don Rickles Live At Mohegan Sun 2011* (2023), Writer
- *Don Rickles LIVE in Arizona 2014* (2023), Writer
- *Don Rickles Live in Casino Rama 2010* (2023), Writer
- *Don Rickles Live Pine Knob Music Theatre* (2023), Writer
- *Toy Story 4* (2019), as Mr. Potato Head (voice) · In Memory Of — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-4.md)
- *Toy Story That Time Forgot* (2014), as Mr. Potato Head (voice)
- *Toy Story of Terror!* (2013), as Mr. Potato Head (Voice)
- *Partysaurus Rex* (2012), as Mr. Potato Head (voice)
- *Small Fry* (2011), as Mr. Potato Head (voice)
- *Zookeeper* (2011), as Frog (voice)
- *Hawaiian Vacation* (2011), as Mr. Potato Head (voice)
- *Classic TV Bloopers Uncensored* (2011), as (archive footage)
- *Toy Story 3* (2010), as Mr. Potato Head (voice) — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-3.md)
- *Hot in Cleveland* (2010), series, as Bobby
- *Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs* (2010), series, as Mr. Potato Head (voice)
- *The Best of Carson, Volume 1* (2006), Actor
- *The Unit* (2006), series, as Don Rickles / Priest
- *The Wool Cap* (2004), as Ira
- *The Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70s* (2002), Actor
- *The Bernie Mac Show* (2001), series, as Don Rickles
- *Toy Story 2* (1999), as Mr. Potato Head (voice) — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-2.md)
- *Dennis the Menace Strikes Again!* (1998), as George Wilson
- *Dirty Work* (1998), as Hamilton
- *Quest for Camelot* (1998), as Cornwall (voice)
- *Redux Riding Hood* (1997), as The Boss (voice)
- *Toy Story* (1995), as Mr. Potato Head (voice) — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story.md)
- *Casino* (1995), as Billy Sherbert — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/casino.md)
- *The Single Guy* (1995), series, as Dr. Dick Sloan
- *Daddy Dearest* (1993), series, as Al Mitchell
- *Innocent Blood* (1992), as Emmanuel 'Manny' Bergman
- *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), series, as Don Rickles — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md)
- *Keaton's Cop* (1990), as Jake Barber
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Mr. Ingels, Ventriloquist
- *Hunter* (1984), series, as Harold Schwan
- *Newhart* (1982), series, Actor
- *Gimme a Break!* (1981), series, as Max
- *For the Love of It* (1980), as Jim Joy
- *Happy Birthday, Las Vegas* (1977), Actor
- *CPO Sharkey* (1976), series, as Otto Sharkey
- *Rickles* (1975), Actor
- *Thunderbolt and Lightfoot* (1974), as Comedian on TV
- *Sanford and Son* (1972), series, Actor
- *The Don Rickles Show* (1972), series, as Don Robinson
- *The Love Machine* (1971), as Announcer (uncredited)
- *Kelly's Heroes* (1970), as Staff Sergeant "Crapgame"
- *The Jim Nabors Hour* (1969), series, Actor
- *Medical Center* (1969), series, as Spencer Rusin
- *Where It's At* (1969), as Willie
- *The Money Jungle* (1967), as Harry Darkwater
- *The Mothers-in-Law* (1967), series, as Don Rickles
- *Enter Laughing* (1967), as Harry Hamburger
- *Murder at N.B.C.* (1966), Actor
- *I Dream of Jeannie* (1965), series, as Kiski
- *Get Smart* (1965), series, as Sid Krimm, Guard (uncredited)
- *The Wild Wild West* (1965), series, as Asmodeus
- *The Dean Martin Show* (1965), series, Actor
- *F Troop* (1965), series, Actor
- *Run for Your Life* (1965), series, as Leo Mazinov, Willy Hatch
- *Beach Blanket Bingo* (1965), as Big Drop
- *Pajama Party* (1964), as “Big Bang” The Martian
- *Gilligan's Island* (1964), series, Actor
- *Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.* (1964), series, as Sgt. Mason
- *The Munsters* (1964), series, Actor
- *The Addams Family* (1964), series, as Claude
- *Bikini Beach* (1964), as Big Drag
- *Muscle Beach Party* (1964), as Jack Fanny
- *Burke's Law* (1963), series, as Lou Kronkeit, Swifty Piedmont, Frank Cross
- *X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes* (1963), as Crane
- *The Lucy Show* (1962), series, as Eddie Rickles
- *The Beverly Hillbillies* (1962), series, as Fred
- *The Dick Van Dyke Show* (1961), series, as Lyle Delp
- *Cain's Hundred* (1961), series, as Dave Malloy
- *The Andy Griffith Show* (1960), series, as Newton Monroe
- *The Rat Race* (1960), as Nellie
- *The Twilight Zone* (1959), series, as Bettor — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md)
- *The DuPont Show with June Allyson* (1959), series, as Announcer, Newscaster, Reporter
- *The Rabbit Trap* (1959), as Mike O'Halloran
- *Run Silent, Run Deep* (1958), as Quartermaster 1st Class Ruby
- *The Thin Man* (1957), series, Actor
- *M Squad* (1957), series, Actor
- *Summer Playhouse* (1954), series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Don Rickles (2008)](https://film.one/media/person/86007/gallery-fdbcb3cf3f4d.jpg) Don Rickles (2008) — Gary Dunaier, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Don_Rickles.jpg/1280px-Don_Rickles.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Don Rickles](https://film.one/media/person/86007/gallery-e384e2348d4a.jpg) Don Rickles — John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel  Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/70/Don_Rickles_1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Publicity photo of Don Rickles. (1973)](https://film.one/media/person/86007/gallery-b809c4225916.jpg) Publicity photo of Don Rickles. (1973) — Joseph Scandore-management, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/55/Don_Rickles_1973.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Photo from the television program CPO Sharkey. Pictured are Don Rickles (Sharkey) and Sosimo Hernandez (cellmate) in a Tijuana jail. (1977)](https://film.one/media/person/86007/gallery-5db517b65381.jpg) Photo from the television program CPO Sharkey. Pictured are Don Rickles (Sharkey) and Sosimo Hernandez (cellmate) in a Tijuana jail. (1977) — NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Don_Rickles_CPO_Sharkey_1977.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Don Rickles](https://film.one/media/person/86007/gallery-c00283bcbd16.jpg) Don Rickles — Image via TMDB
- ![Don Rickles and Louise Sorel (1971)](https://film.one/media/person/86007/gallery-08aa518b8b3e.jpg) Don Rickles and Louise Sorel (1971) — studio staff?, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Don_Rickles_and_Louise_Sorel%2C_1971.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/don-rickles