Veteran comic Don Rickles today becomes the first star
inducted into Caesars Palace's Walk of Fame as part of The Comedy
Festival in Las Vegas this week. He performs tonight, but was
able to spare a few moments to chat with USA TODAY:
1 You turned 80 years old this year. Making a big
deal about it?
No, not unless I start spitting up on the stage. Once in a
while, I?ll make mention of it when the situation calls for
it. Although it's interesting to know that at The Comedy Festival,
I'm the oldest guy still working. They're all young people.
2 How did this Caesars award come about?
I don't really know. They asked me to do a show, and they
pay me very well to do one show. And before the show, they said
they want to put my name on the wall of Caesars and my fingerprints
in the wall. More power to them if that's their enjoyment. I
also got the fingerprints in the wall at the Resorts Hotel in
Atlantic City.
3 Many children know you because you were Mr. Potato
Head in Toy Story?
Yeah, (writer/director) John Lassiter came to my home and
said, 'We love your voice. We want you to do this.' I said,
'Leave me alone, I don't want to be in some dumb cartoon.' But
then I loved it. And now kids today know me that way, as Mr.
Potato Head.
4 You also were in the movie The Aristocrats (about
a dirty joke).
I have very little to say about that. They threw my name in
there. I wasn't participating. I don't tell jokes, and I wasn't
going to tell one for that particular show. But they put me
in it, anyway, and gave me a big credit.
5 Is there anyone in your family who wishes you would
slow down?
No, my wife likes jewelry.
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