Kevin Pollak: Don Rickles Badgered Robert De Niro Every Day on the Casino Set | The Rich Eisen Show

The Rich Eisen Show

11 Dec 201903:16

Summary

TLDRIn this engaging interview, Kevin Pollak shares anecdotes from his experiences on set with legendary actors. He recounts the humorous and tense moments when Don Rickles playfully but sharply teased Robert De Niro during filming, highlighting De Niro's admiration for Rickles. Pollak also reflects on working with Walter Matthau, revealing Matthau's candid admission about his gambling debts. The conversation offers a glimpse into the dynamic and sometimes unpredictable world of Hollywood, where even the biggest stars have their vulnerabilities and humorous sides.

Takeaways

😄 Kevin Pollak shares his experience of Don Rickles' humor on set, particularly directed at Robert De Niro.
🎬 The story of Don Rickles interrupting a take to criticize De Niro's acting in the middle of a scene is highlighted.
🤔 Rickles' comments during filming were unexpected and created tension among the crew due to De Niro's possible reaction.
🌟 De Niro admired Rickles, which gave Rickles the confidence to tease him, as he knew De Niro's background in 'put-down groups'.
👴 Rickles saw himself as a mentor to De Niro, who looked up to him as a comedy idol during his youth.
🎭 Pollak discusses his time on the set of 'Grumpy Old Men' and Walter Matthau's famous gambling problem.
📋 Matthau's gambling debts were so significant that he joked about owing his bookie two million dollars.
😮 Pollak's encounter with Matthau involved an attempt at small talk that quickly turned to Matthau's financial troubles.
👏 Kevin Pollak expresses his admiration for character actors who became leading men, like Matthau and Lemon.
🏆 The script implies that Pollak sees being on set with such actors as a learning experience, akin to studying at 'Mount Rushmore' of acting.
📻 For more content like this, the audience is directed to tune in to the Rich Eisen show on various platforms.

Q & A

Who is the guest on the Richardson show?
-Kevin Pollak is the guest on the Richardson show.
What is the context of the conversation about Don Rickles?
-The conversation is about Don Rickles' behavior on set, particularly his habit of teasing Robert De Niro during filming.
What did Don Rickles do during a take involving Robert De Niro?
-During a take, Don Rickles interrupted Robert De Niro's dialogue by making fun of him, despite his character not being supposed to speak at that moment.
How did the people on set react to Rickles' interruption?
-Everyone on set was tense and unsure of how Bob De Niro would react to Rickles' interruption.
Why did Rickles feel he had an upper hand over De Niro?
-Rickles felt he had an upper hand because De Niro admired him greatly, having worshipped Rickles since he was a child.
What was the significance of the 'put-down groups' in New York during De Niro's childhood?
-The 'put-down groups' were street groups that insulted others, and De Niro was part of such a group. Rickles, known for his insult comedy, was seen as a god by these groups.
What did Kevin Pollak do during the filming of 'Casino'?
-Kevin Pollak played the role of a character standing in the background in the casino scene.
What is the connection between Walter Matthau and gambling?
-Walter Matthau had a famous gambling issue, and his memorial included his picks for the following Sunday's games.
What was Kevin Pollak's first interaction with Walter Matthau like?
-Kevin Pollak tried to make small talk with Matthau by commenting on the script, to which Matthau responded about his gambling debt.
How did Kevin Pollak feel about being around Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon?
-Pollak felt honored and considered it a privilege to be around Matthau and Lemmon, as he admired character actors and aspired to be one.
How can one access more of the Rich Eisen show?
-The Rich Eisen show can be accessed on Audience Channel 239 on Direct TV, for free on BR live, or by downloading the Rich Eisen show app.

Outlines

00:00

😄 Kevin Pollak on Don Rickles and De Niro

Kevin Pollak shares his experience on the set of 'Casino' with Don Rickles and Robert De Niro. He describes how Rickles would humorously criticize De Niro during filming, despite De Niro's admiration for Rickles. Pollak explains that Rickles knew he had a special influence over De Niro, stemming from their shared New York street background. The anecdote highlights the dynamic between these two iconic actors and the humor that played out on set.

🏆 Grumpy Old Men and Walter Matthau's Gambling

In this segment, Kevin Pollak discusses his time on the set of 'Grumpy Old Men' with Walter Matthau. He recounts an initial meeting where Matthau, known for his gambling issues, humorously mentioned his debts. Pollak reflects on the opportunity to work with such legendary actors, expressing his admiration for their talent and the impact they had on his career. The story also touches on Matthau's gambling habits, adding a personal touch to the legendary actor's public persona.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Kevin Pollak

Kevin Pollak is an American actor and comedian who is the guest in the video script. He shares anecdotes from his experiences working with other famous actors, providing insight into the dynamics on film sets and the personalities of his co-stars.

💡Richardson Show

The Richardson Show is the program where the conversation is taking place. It is a platform where Kevin Pollak discusses his experiences in the entertainment industry, making it central to the video's theme of behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories.

💡Rip

In the context of the video, 'rip' refers to the act of teasing or jokingly insulting someone, often in a playful or humorous manner. It is used to describe the interactions between Don Rickles and Robert De Niro on set, highlighting the camaraderie and humor among actors.

💡Don Rickles

Don Rickles was an American comedian and actor known for his insult comedy. In the script, he is mentioned as having a significant influence on Robert De Niro and engaging in humorous banter during filming, which is a key element in illustrating the interpersonal relationships on set.

💡Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro is an acclaimed American actor who is discussed in the script as having a deep admiration for Don Rickles. His reaction to Rickles' on-set humor provides a glimpse into the dynamics between seasoned actors and how they interact during filming.

💡Casino

Casino refers to both the setting of a particular scene described in the script and the 1995 film directed by Martin Scorsese. The anecdote about Don Rickles teasing De Niro during a take in a casino setting is a central story in the video, illustrating the on-set atmosphere.

💡Extras

Extras are background actors who appear in scenes to create a more realistic environment. In the script, the presence of a hundred extras on the casino floor sets the scene for the interaction between Rickles and De Niro, emphasizing the public nature of their on-set banter.

💡Dialogue

Dialogue in the script refers to the spoken lines of actors in a film. The script describes a moment when Don Rickles interrupts Robert De Niro's dialogue, showcasing the spontaneous and unscripted interactions that can occur during filming.

💡Walter Matthau

Walter Matthau was an American actor known for his work in film and theater. In the script, Kevin Pollak recounts his first encounter with Matthau, highlighting the personal and professional challenges Matthau faced, such as his gambling debts.

💡Grumpy Old Men

Grumpy Old Men is a 1993 American comedy film in which Walter Matthau starred. The script mentions Pollak's experience working with Matthau on this film, providing a context for understanding Matthau's character and personal life.

💡Gambling Issue

A gambling issue refers to a serious problem with gambling, often leading to financial or personal difficulties. The script reveals that Walter Matthau had a well-known gambling problem, which is an important aspect of his personal story and adds depth to the narrative.

💡Character Actors

Character actors are performers who specialize in playing unusual or eccentric roles rather than leading roles. Kevin Pollak, who considers himself a character actor, discusses his admiration for other character actors like Matthau and the experience of learning from them.

Highlights

Kevin Pollak shares his experience on the set of 'Casino' with Don Rickles and Robert De Niro.

Don Rickles humorously interrupts a take by criticizing De Niro's acting in front of the whole cast.

De Niro's admiration for Rickles is highlighted, showing a deep respect rooted in their shared New York upbringing.

The story of De Niro being part of a 'put-down group' and viewing Rickles as a god-like figure is shared.

Pollak describes the intense atmosphere on set when Rickles would challenge De Niro.

The unique dynamic between Rickles and De Niro is explored, with Rickles knowing he 'owned' De Niro.

Kevin Pollak discusses his role in 'Grumpy Old Men' and working with iconic actors Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon.

Walter Matthau's famous gambling issue is mentioned, including his memorial program featuring his picks for the following Sunday.

Pollak recounts his first encounter with Matthau, who humorously responded to small talk with a comment about his gambling debt.

The admiration Pollak has for character actors, who became leading men, is expressed.

Pollak's experience of studying 'at the feet' of legendary actors is likened to being at Mount Rushmore.

The transcript provides insight into the personalities and interactions of famous actors on and off set.

The importance of humor and camaraderie among actors in creating a memorable filming experience is emphasized.

The transcript gives a behind-the-scenes look at the pressures and personalities involved in the film industry.

The influence of personal relationships and shared histories on professional dynamics is discussed.

The story concludes with information on how to access more of the Rich Eisen show for further insights.