1. The Dramatic Debut in 'Run Silent, Run Deep' (1958)
Long before he was a household name, Rickles made his film debut in this tense World War II submarine thriller. Starring alongside legends Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster, Rickles played Quartermaster 1st Class Ruby, a straight-laced, dramatic role. It
was a surprising start for the man who would become the king of insult comedy. He had studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and aspired to be a serious actor, and this role showed he had the chops. It proved that behind the comedian's sarcastic persona was a performer capable of holding his own in a high-stakes drama, a side of Rickles many fans would only discover decades later.
2. The Comedic Hustler in 'Kelly’s Heroes' (1970)
As Staff Sergeant 'Crapgame,' Rickles found a role that perfectly blended his comedic timing with a cynical, world-weary edge. In this anti-establishment war comedy, he plays a supply sergeant who is more interested in profit than patriotism. Paired with Clint Eastwood and Telly Savalas, Rickles steals scenes as the perpetually stressed-out logistical genius of a rogue platoon trying to rob a bank behind enemy lines. His frantic energy and sharp-tongued delivery were pure Rickles, providing some of the film's biggest laughs and most memorable lines.
3. The Loyal Manager in 'Casino' (1995)
Appearing in a Martin Scorsese film is a benchmark for any actor, and Rickles delivered a masterful performance in this epic crime drama. He played Billy Sherbert, the loyal and unflappable casino manager under Robert De Niro's 'Ace' Rothstein. In a film filled with explosive personalities, Sherbert is a rock of competence and quiet dependability. Rickles brought a grounded realism to the role, a calm center in a storm of greed and violence. The part gave him a late-career prestige boost and reminded audiences of the serious actor who debuted nearly 40 years earlier.
4. The Creepy Barker in 'X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes' (1963)
In this cult classic sci-fi horror film from director Roger Corman, Rickles took a turn for the sinister. He played Crane, a sleazy carnival barker who exploits the film's protagonist, a doctor who develops x-ray vision. It's a small but pivotal role that showcases his versatility. Rickles channels a grimy, manipulative energy that is genuinely unsettling. He’s not just a loudmouth; he’s a predator. The role is a fascinating detour in his filmography, proving he could be effectively creepy when the part called for it.
5. The Abrasive Theater Owner in 'Dirty Work' (1998)
For those who loved Rickles' stand-up persona, his cameo in the cult comedy 'Dirty Work' is a treasure. He plays Mr. Hamilton, a cantankerous movie theater owner who unleashes a torrent of vintage Rickles insults on the film's protagonists. The role is essentially a condensed version of his 'Mr. Warmth' act, and it’s glorious. It's a short appearance, but it's one of the most quotable and hilarious parts of the movie, a perfect cinematic capsule of the insult-comic persona that made him a legend.
6. The Angry Spud in 'Toy Story' (1995-2019)
Perhaps his most enduring role, Mr. Potato Head introduced Don Rickles to millions of children who had never seen his nightclub act. Voicing the perpetually angry, sarcastic toy, Rickles found a perfect vessel for his brand of bluster. Lines like 'What are you lookin' at, ya hockey puck?' became iconic. The role was so intertwined with him that after his passing in 2017, Pixar animators used archival recordings to keep his voice in 'Toy Story 4,' a touching tribute to the man who gave the grumpy potato his soul.
