From an early age, Mindy Rickles was captivated by her father's performances. "I remember sitting in the wings during his shows in Las Vegas," she shares with Closer. "And at the end, he'd introduce me to the audience, and they'd applaud. It was magical." While Don Rickles was known for his sharp wit and quick insults on stage, there was a softer side to him that only his family truly knew. Let me tell you, the guy who could make Frank Sinatra squirm was a completely different person behind closed doors.
For over five decades, Don Rickles entertained audiences with his razor-sharp humor, sparing no one, not even the biggest celebrities. But guess what? His family was off-limits when it came to his act. "If I said something silly, sure, he'd poke fun at it, but it was always lighthearted," Mindy reveals. "He had this incredible ability to make people laugh without making them feel bad." That's the kind of comedian Don was—someone who could dish it out but knew exactly when to pull back.
Now, here's the real kicker: beneath that tough exterior was a guy who adored his family and loved nothing more than kicking back and watching sports, especially his favorite team, the LA Dodgers. "The TV remote was practically attached to his hand!" Mindy jokes. "He loved his downtime, and it was a side of him that most people never got to see." This was the Don Rickles who wasn't on stage, the one who cherished quiet moments with his loved ones.
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A Life of Laughter and Love
Don Rickles, a proud New Yorker and World War II veteran, tied the knot with Barbara Sklar in 1965, the same year he made his first appearance on The Tonight Show. Together, they welcomed two children: Mindy, who followed in her dad's footsteps as a comedian, and Larry, a talented screenwriter and TV producer. "My parents were total opposites," Mindy reflects. "My mom was like Valium—calming and steady. She handled everything, which let my dad focus on his career without any worries." It was a partnership that worked, and it showed in the way they supported each other through life's ups and downs.
Comedy in the Family
Don Rickles often brought his marriage into his act, but never in a way that hurt his wife. "My dad would mimic her on stage or joke about her love for jewelry, but she loved it," Mindy recalls fondly. "That's one of the reasons their marriage lasted so long. She had a great sense of humor and could laugh at herself." From the start of their marriage, being on the road was a big part of their life. "If my dad was busy working, my mom would explore the towns they visited. She'd send me pictures from places you'd never expect," Mindy says. "When we were kids, we'd all travel together, including Grandma Etta. We even went to most of the dinners he was invited to. It was a real family affair."
Supporting the Next Generation
When Mindy told her father she wanted to pursue a career in stand-up comedy, he was supportive but also worried. "He was nervous for me because he knew how tough the business could be," Mindy explains. "He didn't want me to get hurt." But as Mindy started to find her own rhythm on stage, Don's concerns eased. "He became really proud of me," she says. "If I had a bad night, he'd listen and offer advice. He was always there for me." It was a bond that meant everything to Mindy, and it showed in the way she carried on her father's legacy.
Through Hardships and Triumphs
Like any family, the Rickles faced challenges. Mindy's brother, Larry, who won an Emmy for a documentary about Don's work, passed away from pneumonia at the age of 41 in 2011. Don found comfort in his work and the love of his fans. "Whether it's 10 people or 300, an audience is still an audience," Don told Closer shortly before his death at 90 in 2017. "If people keep coming to see you, it's still a high." Even as he poked fun at his audiences, they were always in on the joke. "He always told me, 'Keep my name alive,' and that's why I use my maiden name, Rickles," Mindy says. "He wanted to be remembered as a nice guy, someone who really loved his family."
