*(Via Yahoo News) – Don Rickles, the master insult comic who created laughs with ridicule and sarcasm in a decades-long career that earned him the facetious nickname “Mr. Warmth,” died on Thursday at his Los Angeles home from kidney failure, his publicist said. He was 90.
Rickles, who said he developed his brand of mockery humor because he was no good at telling traditional jokes, had recently postponed some performances, including a show set for May in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that was pushed back to November just this week.
His death was confirmed by his spokesman, Paul Shefrin, who said Rickles is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara, as well as their daughter, Mindy Mann, and two grandchildren. He would have turned 91 on May 8.
Read/learn MORE at Yahoo News.
Meanwhile, reactions and responses from Rickles friends, associates and well wishers are pouring in via the Internet. Here’s a sampling:
“Farewell to a comedic legend & dear friend, Don Rickles. I know you’re cracking them up in the Great Beyond!” — Samuel L. Jackson via Instagram.
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“He never was Politically Correct and he never apologized for it.” — Gilbert Gottfried via Twitter.
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“Being skewered by Don Rickles was side-splitting funny. A gentle soul with rapid fire wit.” — Barbra Streisand via Twitter.
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“We lost a great one. fast furious brilliant for decades the definition of genius.” — Sandra Bernhard via Twitter.
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“God Bless Don Rickles, aka, Mr. Warmth! Proud to have been heckled by him from the stage many times!” — LeVar Burton via Twitter.
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“A God died today. Don Rickles, we did not want to ever lose you. Never. Hanx.” — Tom Hanks via Twitter.
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“The day you were me was one of the proudest days of my life. Goodbye to our good friend Don Rickles.” — Kermit the Frog via Twitter.
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Nobody could insult like you, Don Rickles… not even Statler and Waldorf. So long, old pal!” — Fozzie Bear via Twitter.
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“In lieu of flowers, Don Rickles’ family has requested that people drop their pants and fire a rocket.” — Patton Oswald via Twitter.
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“You brightened our lives every time you were on screen.” — Ruth Buzzi via Twitter.
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“Don Rickles, you kept us laughing for so many years. We will miss you dearly. Thanks for the zingers. You were one of a kind.” — George Takei via Twitter.
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“One of the funniest people that ever lived, you dumb schmuck.” — Billy Eichner via Twitter.
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“90 years of Don Rickles weren’t enough. One of the sweetest and most lovely people I had the pleasure of knowing.” — Jimmy Kimmel via Twitter.
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“Awwww man Rickles is dead. Rest In Peace buddy.” — Danny DeVito via Twitter.
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“The Merchant of Venom, legendary comedian … The sweetest guy, great hubby & dad.” — Al Roker via Twitter.
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“Hockey puck. We’ve lost Don Rickles. I love him so. Smart, funny, a pro and most important deeply and honestly kind. Kind is what matters.” — Penn Jillette via Twitter.
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“My friend, my dad, the funniest biggest hearted of them all. A beautiful husband and father. My heart is broken.” — Bob Saget via Twitter.
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“Don Rickles was simply the best. He created insult comedy & yet every 1 of his targets felt loved and honored. One of a kind.” — Jason Alexander via Twitter.
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