Quotes from Don Rickles

When you stand alone and sell yourself, you can't please everyone. But when you're different, you can last.

I've never gone to comedy clubs.

One thing a comedian does, when you step on the stage, you're selling yourself, and certainly I don't think the whole world can love you. But if you can get the majority on your side, you're really in business.

It takes many years to be a great comedian.

To my knowledge, I was the first guy really to do what I do. And then later on different comedians started trying doing it.

I don't like to compare myself with anybody.

Once in a while, when I'm alone, I think about my age. I think, 'How many more years do I have on this earth?' But I can't really conceive of dying.

It's very sweet to have people say nice things about you, and I always accept that.

I busted my bird for 60 years in the business, but my grandkids only know me as Mr. Potato Head.

My grandchildren just know me now as Mr. Potato Head.

I enjoy mixed audiences, not one particular group. Short, tall, scientists, Jews, gentiles, whatever, as long as they breathe and like to laugh.

Somehow, in my head, I don't think I'll die. I know that everybody dies, of course. I just think that it'll never come to me. It's crazy, but there it is.

Who picks your clothes - Stevie Wonder?

I have no idea what I'm going to say when I stand up to give a toast. But I do know that anything I say I find funny.

Some people say funny things, but I say things funny.

Political correctness? In my humor, I never talk about politics. I was never much into all that.

To my knowledge, I was the first guy really to do what I do. And then later on different comedians started trying doing it.

You can't study comedy it's within you. It's a personality. My humor is an attitude.

Show business is my life. When I was a kid I sold insurance, but nobody laughed.

When you stand alone and sell yourself, you can't please everyone. But when you're different, you can last.

Funny is funny.

You know what's funny to me? Attitude.

Harry is a black man, and I'm a white man. We obviously come from different backgrounds, but we stand together on this stage as brothers. And as a brother, I must say these race riots are terrible. It's awful how stores are being looted. The burning, the rioting, the stealing. But if, God forbid, it does happen again—and I pray it doesn't—all I can say is, 'Harry, I could use a couch and a couple of end tables.

An insult comic is the title I was given. What I do is exaggeration. I make fun of people, at life, of myself and my surroundings.