Early Roots and Formative Years
I often think of family stories as intricate webs, spun from threads of immigration, resilience, and quiet ambition. Etta Rickles, born Yettie Feldman on March 13, 1901, in the bustling heart of Manhattan, New York City, embodied that very essence. Her parents, Harry and Clara Feldman, had crossed oceans from Austria as Jewish immigrants, seeking the promise of America. They raised Etta and her only known sibling, sister Frieda Slumka, in a household steeped in tradition. Yiddish echoed through their home, a linguistic bridge to their heritage. Short sentences capture the rhythm of those early days: Work hard. Hold family close. Dream bigger.
By age 23, on June 24, 1924, Etta married Max Sidney Rickles, a man born around 1900 who carved out a living as an insurance salesman. They settled in Queens, New York, specifically Jackson Heights, where life unfolded in modest apartments. Their union produced one child, Donald Jay Rickles, arriving on May 8, 1926. Don, as the world would come to know him, grew up shy, a contrast to the bold comedian he became. Etta, whom Don later nicknamed “the Jewish Patton” for her commanding presence, pushed him relentlessly. She critiqued his early performances, urging him to emulate peers like Alan King. Why can’t you be more like him? she’d ask. Her tough love, like a forge tempering steel, shaped his confidence.
The Family Core: Husband and Son
Max Rickles supported the family until his 1952–1953 heart attack. His regular income came from selling policies door-to-door while Etta managed the home. After his death, Etta and Don became inseparable over their grief. Don lived with her throughout maturity, proving their closeness. Etta became mother, confidant, critic, and cheerleader in the quiet evenings of their Queens apartment, where Max’s memories remained like faded images.
Don Rickles was the king of insult comedy for decades until his death on April 6, 2017, at 90. His 1965 marriage to Barbara Sklar enlarged the family. Mindy and Larry were their children. Etta had a major impact on Don in the early 1950s. Don struggled to be noticed in Miami Beach nightclubs. Seeing an opening, Etta approached Dolly Sinatra at the Fontainebleau Hotel. She encouraged Dolly to bring Frank Sinatra to Don’s performance after pleading. Sinatra’s laughter and endorsement made Don a Las Vegas headliner and Rat Pack member. Etta’s “good business head,” as Don said, made a small gig legendary.
Grandchildren and the Next Generation
Mindy Rickles, Etta’s granddaughter, carries the creative spark forward as an actress and comedian. Married to Edward “Ed” Mann, she resides in Los Angeles, blending Hollywood glamour with family roots. Mindy has spoken publicly about her lineage, noting how her sons knew their grandfather Don more as the voice of Mr. Potato Head from the 1995 film Toy Story than as the sharp-tongued comic. Her boys, Ethan Mann and Harrison Mann, represent Etta’s great-grandchildren, born into a world far removed from early 20th-century Manhattan yet tied by blood.
Larry Rickles, born in 1970, pursued a path in entertainment as a writer and producer. His life, tragically short, ended on December 3, 2011, at age 41 due to pneumonia complications. Larry’s contributions, though brief, added layers to the family’s artistic narrative. Etta, who passed before seeing her great-grandchildren, would have marveled at this extension. The Rickles family, like a branching oak, grew stronger through each generation: from immigrants in 1901 to entertainers captivating millions by the 2000s.
To visualize the connections, here’s a family tree overview:
| Generation | Name | Key Details | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parents | Harry Feldman | Austrian Jewish immigrant father | Unknown |
| Clara Feldman | Austrian Jewish immigrant mother | Unknown | |
| Sibling | Frieda Slumka | Etta’s sister | Unknown |
| Spouse | Max Sidney Rickles | Insurance salesman; married 1924 | ~1900-1953 |
| Child | Don Rickles | Comedian and actor; only son | 1926-2017 |
| Grandchildren | Mindy Rickles (Mann) | Actress; married Ed Mann | Living |
| Larry Rickles | Producer and writer | 1970-2011 | |
| Great-Grandchildren | Ethan Mann | Son of Mindy and Ed | Living |
| Harrison Mann | Son of Mindy and Ed | Living |
This table highlights the progression: nine key members spanning over a century.
Later Years and Lasting Impact
Etta’s final years went south. She split time between New York and Florida by the 1970s. She recounted Don’s career from a family photo book on WNYC in 1971, speaking with pride and clarity. In 1975, she spent her 74th birthday with Don in Las Vegas, a picture of their love.
Health problems grew. Her later years were ravaged by emphysema and cancer. At 83, Don visited her in the hospital to lighten the mood: “Mom, you’re 84! People rarely get that far.” Her touching response: “I can’t be 85?” On September 23, 1984, at Miami Beach, she died. At Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, New York, her gravestone reads “BELOVED WIFE MOTHER GRANDMOTHER AT REST.” Simple words with great impact.
Don’s tributes carry Etta’s spirit. He called her aggressive yet loving in his activities. He used her hospital quip and other stories to portray her as tenacious in interviews. Don’s comedy developed in the Jackson Heights family’s Yiddish-speaking home. Etta’s harsh encouragement helped a shy boy find his voice.
An Extended Timeline of Milestones
Timelines serve as rivers, charting the flow of lives. Here’s Etta’s, interwoven with family events:
- 1901: Born Yettie Feldman in Manhattan to Harry and Clara.
- 1924: Marries Max Rickles on June 24.
- 1926: Birth of son Don on May 8.
- 1952-1953: Max’s death from heart attack.
- Early 1950s: Persuades Dolly Sinatra to attend Don’s show, sparking his fame.
- 1965: Don marries Barbara Sklar.
- 1970: Grandson Larry born.
- 1971: Features on WNYC radio discussing Don’s career.
- 1975: 74th birthday celebration with Don in Las Vegas.
- 1984: Dies on September 23 at age 83.
- 2011: Larry passes at 41.
- 2017: Don dies at 90; family tributes highlight Etta’s role.
This chronology spans 116 years from her birth to Don’s death, marking 20 key events.
FAQ
Who was Etta Rickles in relation to Don Rickles?
Etta was Don’s mother, the driving force behind his success. She raised him in Queens, critiqued his early work, and orchestrated his breakthrough with Frank Sinatra. Her “Jewish Patton” persona blended toughness with unwavering support, influencing his comedic style.
What was Etta Rickles’ background?
Born in 1901 to Austrian Jewish immigrants, Etta grew up in Manhattan. She married in 1924, focused on homemaking, and embodied immigrant grit. No professional career is recorded; her achievements centered on family.
Who are Etta Rickles’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren?
Granddaughter Mindy is an actress married to Ed Mann, living in Los Angeles. Grandson Larry was a producer who died in 2011. Great-grandsons Ethan and Harrison are Mindy’s sons, carrying the lineage into the future.
How did Etta Rickles contribute to Don’s career?
Beyond daily encouragement, her bold approach to Dolly Sinatra in the 1950s led to Frank Sinatra discovering Don. This moment, like a spark igniting a fire, propelled him to Las Vegas stardom and Hollywood roles.
Where is Etta Rickles buried?
At Beth David Cemetery in Elmont, New York. Her gravestone honors her as beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, a fitting tribute to her central family role.
What health issues did Etta Rickles face?
In her later years, she battled emphysema and cancer, passing in 1984 at 83. Don’s anecdotes from her hospital visits reveal her resilient spirit, always aiming for one more year.
