Joe Pesci Didn’t Find Don Rickles’ Jokes During ‘Casino’ Funny
Don Rickles, famed for his cutting-edge comedic “roasts,” didn’t confine his signature style to the stage. His penchant for playful jabs extended to movie sets, including the 1995 Martin Scorsese film Casino, where he played Billy Sherbert, the head of security for Robert De Niro’s character, Sam “Ace” Rothstein. Behind-the-scenes footage from the 2014 tribute special, Don Rickles: One Night Only, reveals Rickles good-naturedly teasing De Niro for forgetting a line, urging him to “Learn the thing” and “Do the lines and let’s get out of here.”
A Comedic Dynamic on Set
The dynamic between Rickles and his fellow actors wasn’t always one-sided. Kevin Pollak, who played Phillip Green in Casino, shared in an interview with Jay Mohr that Rickles would often interrupt De Niro even when the actor hadn’t made a mistake. Despite the constant ribbing, De Niro reportedly took it all in stride. However, not everyone shared De Niro’s amusement.
A Clash with Pesci
According to Pollak, Joe Pesci was less receptive to Rickles’s humour. After Rickles joked that Pesci was so short he resembled a Shetland pony, Pesci responded with a blunt retort, stating, “No, no, I get it, I get it. I’m a midget, you’re a genius. Go f–k yourself.” This exchange highlights the contrasting reactions to Rickles’s famously abrasive style.
Rickles himself later recounted an incident during the filming of a scene where Pesci’s character physically assaults him with a telephone. He told Playboy in 2007 that Pesci became “carried away,” and despite wearing a rubber suit, Rickles still felt the impact. He jokingly advised Pesci to “go take a Valium” afterward, admitting he remained wary of receiving a telephone.
A Complex Relationship
Despite the on-set tension, Rickles later described Pesci as “a good guy,” suggesting Pesci sometimes embraced a persona associated with organised crime, but ultimately moved past it. The two actors later appeared in a Snickers commercial in 2011, though notably, they were never filmed in the same shot together.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role did Don Rickles play in Casino?
Don Rickles played Billy Sherbert, the head of security for Robert De Niro’s character, Sam “Ace” Rothstein, in the 1995 film Casino.
How did Robert De Niro react to Don Rickles’s teasing?
Robert De Niro reportedly had a good sense of humour about Don Rickles’s teasing, even when it occurred after he had not forgotten his lines.
What was Joe Pesci’s reaction to Don Rickles’s jokes?
Joe Pesci was reportedly not amused by Don Rickles’s jokes, responding with a harsh retort after Rickles made a remark about his height.
Given the stories of on-set interactions, do you think a comedian’s persona can ever be truly “turned off,” even during professional engagements?