Joe Delaney remembers 1986: Rickles at the Sahara

Friday, March 16, 2001 | 9:12 a.m.

Don Rickles made his Las Vegas debut in the Sahara Casbar lounge in 1960. Frank Sinatra and the original Sands Rat Pack were Casbar late-show regulars. Rickles moved into the Sahara's main showroom, the Congo Room, the next year. He is the longest-running main-showroom headliner, playing Las Vegas every year since. After successful stands at the Riviera and Desert Inn, Rickles has signed a two-year exclusive contract to appear at the Stardust in its Wayne Newton Theater. Rickles' serious role in the film "Casino" earned critical plaudits. His providing the voice for Mr. Potato Head in "Toy Story 2" is further evidence of Rickles' versatility as a performer.

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