Returning
to Las Vegas for a record-smashing 54th consecutive year, internationally
renowned comedian, actor and entertainer Don Rickles will perform at The
Orleans Showroom April 13 and 14.
Having
earned the nicknames “The Merchant of Venom” and “Mr. Warmth,” (the latter
coined affectionately by Johnny Carson), Rickles’ style of comedy is never
mean-spirited and all part of his act. It has been said that being “zinged” by
Rickles is like “wearing a badge of honor.”
Rickles
took his first step toward national fame in 1957, when Rickles spotted Frank
Sinatra in the audience at a nightclub in Miami Beach. The still-unknown
Rickles eyed Sinatra and said, “I just saw your movie, ‘The Pride and the
Passion,’ and I want to tell you, the cannon was great. Make yourself at home,
Frank. Hit somebody.” Sinatra, whose pet name for Rickles was “bullet-head,”
enjoyed Rickles so much that he returned to see him when he was performing in
Los Angeles, and encouraged other celebrities to see his act. Rickles soon became the “in” comic among
Hollywood stars, who flocked to see him to become a target of his insults. Sinatra’s continuing support helped Rickles
become a popular performer in Las Vegas, where he first started in 1959, and
has been a headliner ever since.
Shortly
after being discovered by Sinatra, Rickles made his acting debut in 1958’s “Run
Silent Run Deep.” The movie was a hit,
launching Rickles towards a celebrated career as a movie, television and
theater actor. His still-growing
television and film resume includes roles in “Casino,” “Kelly’s Heroes,” “The
Rat Race,” all three “Toy Story” films, HBO’s “Tales From the Crypt,” and
Bravo’s “My Life on the D-List” with Kathy Griffin. In 2011, he made a surprise
appearance in a “cliff-hanger” episode as the “thought to be dead” husband of
Betty White’s character on the TV Land comedy “Hot In Cleveland.” Later in the year, he returned to the show
for the “payoff.” He recently appeared on Showtime’s new series “Inside
Comedy,” where fellow comedian David Steinberg interviewed him. In 2000,
Rickles received one of the highest honors in the entertainment
business, when he received a star on the famed Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Rickles
has received two Primetime Emmy® Awards, including Best Individual Performance
in a Variety or Musical for the 2008 HBO special “Mr. Warmth: The Don Rickles
Project.” In 2009, cable network TV Land honored Rickles with the “Legend
Award.” Rickles’ best-selling memoir
“Rickles’ Book” was released in 2007, and was followed up with the 2008 title
“Rickles’ Letters.”
In
spring 2012, Rickles joined David Letterman as the only performers to receive
the prestigious “Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence” at The Comedy
Awards, aired on Comedy Central. The
award was presented to Rickles by Jon Stewart and Robert DeNiro.
In
addition to recurring dates in Las Vegas at The Orleans, Rickles continues to
be a popular performer in venues throughout the country.
Providing the opening act is Robert
Davi who is an award-winning actor, writer, director and singer. He is considered
by many to be one of the top James Bond villains of all time and has more than
100 films to his credit. He recently released his first music album, “Davi
Sings Sinatra: On the Road to Romance” through Universal Records, produced by
the late legendary Phil Ramone. Davi’s debut record charted at #6 on the
Billboard jazz music chart.
Since
his album release, Davi has been headlining across the country to standing
ovations and rave reviews. Music legend, Quincy Jones was recently quoted in
response to Davi’s show: "As FS would say, 'Koo, Koo.' Wow! I have never
heard anyone come this close to Sinatra's sound – and still be himself. Many
try, but Robert Davi has the voice, tone, the flavor and the swagger. What a
surprise… He absolutely touched me down to my soul and brought back the essence
and soul of Ol’ Blue Eyes himself."
Showtime
each evening is 8 p.m. Tickets are available starting from $79.95, plus tax and
convenience fees, and can be purchased at any Coast Casinos Box Office, by
calling 702.365.7075, or visiting www.orleanscasino.com.
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