David Letterman bids farewell to the late Don Rickles, who has been on numerous night shows over the past three decades.
Paul Shefrin, longtime Rickles representative, told PEOPLE on Thursday: “Iconic Emmy Award-winning comedian Don Rickles died this morning (Thursday) at his home in Los Angeles of kidney failure.”
The veteran comedian and actor reunited with the former actor before his death. late night And night show host several times.
In a statement taken by PEOPLE after learning of Rickles’ death, 69-year-old Letterman said: “It was always important to me that Don came to our show. Just endless mischief and nonsense and a man who will drive the audience completely crazy.”
“How professional, how gentlemanly,” continued Letterman, who retired from nighttime host duty in May 2015. “I miss him already.”
In addition to appearing alone on the talk series, Rickles also sat down for joint interviews with Denzel Washington and Howard Stern.
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Rickles, who will turn 91 on May 8, is survived by his wife, Barbara, 52, as well as daughters Mindy Mann and husband Ed and two grandchildren of Rickles: Ethan and Harrison Mann.
Funeral services will be private, according to Shefrin. Instead of flowers, donations to the Larry Rickles Charitable Fund at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles are recommended.