Don Rickles, RIP — Beloved Comic Dead At 90 Years Old

Legendary comic Don Rickles has passed away at the age of 90 — after outliving his fellow legends and good friends like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Johnny Carson. He passed away on the morning of April 6, 2017, from kidney failure at his home in Los Angeles, after struggling to perform concert dates with longtime pal Regis Philbin. The beloved entertainer will also be mourned by his best friend Bob Newhart — although Don was heartbroken to lose "Mannix" star Mike Connors to leukemia in January.

“They were really close friends. They went to parties and to dinner together,” Mike’s daughter, Dana, had told The National ENQUIRER. “My mom heard from one of her friends that Don was sick about it, and not doing great overall. Mentally, he’s sharp as a tack. But, physically, he’s hurting.” In fact, insiders said the comic’s health first began to suffer in 2011, shortly after the death of his only son, Larry, from pneumonia.

Then in 2013, Don nearly lost a leg to a flesh-eating infection and was forced to undergo several painful surgical procedures. The comic still insisted on trying to perform, but his feeble appearance often shocked fans. Sadly, the end became apparent when Don finally had to cancel a short tour with Regis in Reno, Nev. this past February. The gig was postponed at the last minute after Don “developed a flu-like infection.” Said a fan at the time: "Rickles hates to miss a show — this must really mean the end!"