We specialize in hard to find items
All Categories
*Price and Stocks may change without prior notice
*Packaging of actual item may differ from photo shown
- Electrical items MAY be 110 volts.
- 7 Day Return Policy
- All products are genuine and original
- Cash On Delivery/Cash Upon Pickup Available
About Don Rickles: Merchant Of Venom
Product Description Considered the world’s greatest insult comic, Don Rickles was a legendary comedy giant, honorary Rat Pack member, and “equal opportunity offender” who defied political correctness, transcended every medium, entertained, influenced and insulted generations of comedians and fans over his six-decade career. Now in the first-ever biography and in-depth portrait of Don Rickles, New York Post television editor and celebrity biographer Michael Seth Starr delivers a hilarious, moving, and long-overdue look at the real man behind the sting. Riding 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 with future stars Jason Robards, Jr., Don Murray, and Grace Kelly, and intended to become a seriously committed actor. But it was in small nightclubs where Rickles found success, steamrolling hecklers, honing his acerbic put-downs, and teaching the world to love being insulted. Sex, race, religion, nationality, physical appearance, political leanings—nothing and no one was safe from the “Planned Parenthood Poster Boy,” as Johnny Carson referred to him. The Merchant of Venom traces Don Rickles’ career from his rise in the 1950s to a late-in-life resurgence thanks to the Toy Story franchise, his role in Martin Scorsese’s Casino, and scores of TV appearances from Carson to Seth Meyers. In the intervening decades, Rickles conquered every medium he worked in, including film, television, and on stage, where the Vegas legend was still performing at the age of eighty-five. In his highly memorable career, he was idolized by a generation of younger comedians including Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Jay Leno, and performed in the shadow of a shocking open secret: he was the nicest man in town. An in-depth portrait of the personal and singular professional life of Don Rickles, The Merchant of Venom delivers a hilarious, moving, and long-overdue look at the real man behind the sting. Review Praise For Michael Seth Starr's Celebrity Biographies “Insightful and funny…. A fun biography that should appeal to Don Rickles fans and those interested in the history of stand-up comedy.” —Library Journal “Acclaimed biographer Michael Seth Starr offers a fascinating, comprehensive take on the career of Captain Kirk himself.” —Entertainment Weekly, 30 best holiday books of the year on Shatner “In 1966, a Canadian actor named William Shatner was cast as Captain Kirk on a low-budget TV series set to premiere on NBC. And the rest is history: As Shatner approaches his 90th birthday, Starr takes a comprehensive look at the legendary performer.”—The New York Poston Shatner “Starr successfully paints a complete portrait of the legendary drummer, whose contributions to rock 'n' roll, he argues, have largely been overshadowed by his iconic bandmates. With aplomb, Starr creates an intimate picture of Liverpool and Hamburg during the 1950s and '60s that puts the rest of Ringo's life (including his later battles with alcoholism and drug addiction) into fascinating perspective…revealing the nuanced and passionate man who was the backbone of the Beatles.” —Publishers Weeklyon Ringo: With a Little Help “Clearly the definitive biography of one of the most famous musicians - or, heck, people - of the last century.” —The Houston Chronicle on Ringo: With a Little Help “Until Ringo pens his memoirs (if he ever does), this biography will serve as the most complete and up-to-date telling of his life story.” —Library Journal on Ringo: With a Little Help “A clear and well-written portrait of a superb performer and a wonderful h
