Let’s be honest here. Don Rickles was a force of nature, wasn’t he? Known for his razor-sharp wit and no-holds-barred comedy style, he spent his career poking fun at everything and everyone—including himself. So, it’s no surprise that even death didn’t stop him from leaving his mark on the world. The legendary comedian, who immortalized the role of Mr. Potato Head in the Toy Story franchise, passed away at the age of 90 in 2017. Here’s the kicker: he hadn’t recorded his lines for Toy Story 4, despite signing the contract three years earlier. Now, Pixar, you’ve got some explaining to do. What took you so long?
Look, I get it—life happens. But the team at Pixar didn’t want to let Don’s absence from the film go unnoticed. They were determined to include the iconic Mr. Potato Head character that Don had made unforgettable. And they weren’t about to recast the role, either. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Josh Cooley opened up about the process. He explained, “We loved Don, obviously, and after he passed, his family reached out to us. They asked if there was any way we could create a performance using the recordings we already had. So, we went digging—through 25 years of unused material from Toy Story 1, 2, 3, theme parks, ice capades, video games—you name it. And guess what? We pulled it off. It’s an honor to have Don’s voice in the film. Nobody can replace him, and we weren’t about to try.”
Don Rickles: The Man Behind the Magic
Now, if you’re wondering what Don thought about all this, let me paint you a picture. In the production notes for Toy Story 3, he didn’t hold back. He declared, “I gotta be honest, I’m a riot in this film, and the things I say are brilliant. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen? Please, they’re just time-killers. I have to admit, I’m brilliant. It scares me, the greatness I possess. In fact, when I think about it, I’m too great for this movie. It should just be about Mr. Potato Head.” Classic Don, right? The guy knew how to keep things real.
Read also:Ll Cool J Fashion A Deep Dive Into The Iconic Style That Defined An Era
Imagine the possibilities if they had spun off a whole movie just for Mr. Potato Head. Too late now, folks. Maybe next time, huh? But seriously, Don’s legacy lives on through his unforgettable performances, and Pixar made sure to honor that in the best way possible. Here’s to a man who wasn’t afraid to laugh at himself—and at everyone else.
