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In real life, Rickles was nothing like the harsh persona he portrayed on stage. He was a devoted family man, living with his mother until he married at 38. His marriage to Barbara lasted until his death. Rickles was well-loved by his friends, and he had a special place in the Rat Pack, even though he wasn’t quite like the others in the group. His friendships and influence in Hollywood were vast, and he was admired by people like Carl Reiner, Bob Newhart, and Sidney Poitier.
