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Celebrities pay tribute to Don Rickles: 'We lost a great one'

The legendary funny man, master of the comic insult, died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 90.
/ Source: TODAY

As news of Don Rickles' death spread Thursday, his fellow entertainers, including Tom Hanks, Bob Saget and Amy Schumer took to social media to pay their respects to the legendary comedian, who delighted fans for generations and influenced many of today's top comedy talents.

Rickles died of kidney failure at his Los Angeles home, his publicist Paul Shefrin confirmed to CNBC in Los Angeles. He was 90.

The master of the comic insult, Rickles rose to fame in the 1950s through his association with the Rat Pack — and his willingness to heckle the pack's leader, Frank Sinatra, in his routine.

He was later a frequent and outrageous guest on "The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts," which ran on NBC from the mid-1970s to the mid-'80s.

Comic Relief V To Benefit America's Homeless - May 16,1992
"Mr. Warmth" Don Rickles delighted comedy fans for generations and influenced many of today's top talents. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./WireImage)Ron Galella, Ltd. / WireImage

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The comedian, sarcastically nicknamed "Mr. Warmth," starred in "Pajama Party" and "Kelly's Heroes" among other films, and was the voice of Mr. Potato Head in the popular “Toy Story.”

Oscar winner Robert De Niro, star of 2016's "The Comedian," shared this statement with TODAY via his publicist: "I'm a little disappointed with Don. He had promised me he would live to be at least 95. In all seriousness, he was not only a great friend, he was a great man with a great heart. I really loved the guy. I will miss him."

Here are more celebrity tributes to Rickles: