About the Author

Don Rickles is looking for his first big break in show business. If you have a gig for him, contact his agent (as soon as he gets one).

David Ritz is a songwriter who has collaborated with stars like Janet Jackson and Marvin Gaye, as well as a renowned ghostwriter who has authored more than fifty books for some of the biggest stars in music: Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Lenny Kravitz, Joe Perry, Smokey Robinson, Don Rickles, and Willie Nelson, to name a few. His articles have appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, Essence, People, Art Connoisseur, and elsewhere. He lives in Los Angeles with Roberta, his wife of nearly fifty years.

Reviews

"What a terrific book. Honest, funny, down-to-earth. A helluva read."

-- Larry King

If you want to read the tell-all story of comedian Rickles's life, this isn't the book to satisfy you. His autobiography is written in the same manner of his comedic style-short, entertaining vignettes that end with a great punch line. Rickles covers life as he remembers it from his upbringing in Queens, NY, to his international fame as the voice of Mr. Potato Head. He takes you on an engrossing road trip through early failed salesmanship jobs, the development of his signature brand of sarcastic wit as a comedian in Miami, his becoming a fringe member of the Rat Pack, and stardom in Hollywood movies and numerous TV show appearances. Rickles tells tales involving best buddies Frank Sinatra, Johnny Carson, and Bob Newhart, among other well-known celebrities. He even manages to reveal his tender side when he writes about his beloved mother, his wife, and the father he admired as an unacknowledged hero-having finally gotten a taste of it, readers will wish for more of this rarely seen side. A short, snappy, quick read, this book is recommended for small to medium-sized public libraries or where demand warrants.-Richard Dickey, Washington, DC Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.

"What a terrific book. Honest, funny, down-to-earth. A helluva read."

-- Larry King