Donald Jay “Don” Rickles (I like it that he uses his own name, and I would here but would have to give up my low UID to do so) is unique. I am actually not that fond of him, but he is an American icon. Born 19260508, he is now 85 years old, and going strong! That is quite an accomplishment just by itself!
His trademark is really being a jerk. I am a jerk unintentionally from time to time, and when I am a jerk, the results are usually not very good. He does it intentionally, and that seems to work for him.
I was going to write this piece about a completely different subject, but had what I call the Jay Leno TeeVee Show on for background noise, and Rickles was one of the guests. I thought that he was dead, but I guess that I had him confused with Rodney Dangerfield.