Insult comic Don Rickles will kick off the Touhill Performing Arts Center’s fifth season on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. in the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis, sponsored by Emerson. Tickets are $50, $40 and $30 and are available by calling 314-516-4949; toll-free at 866-516-4949; or by visiting www.touhill.org.

Often referred to as “The Merchant of Venom,” Don Rickles is one of comedy’s most famous funnymen. For almost 50 years he has appeared in top showrooms in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, as well as concert halls throughout the U.S. and internationally. He is regarded among the world’s top entertainers and has even become a best-selling author with the Spring 2007 release of Rickles’ Book by Simon & Schuster.

Born and raised in Queens, New York, Don Rickles began his entertainment career early on, performing in high school plays and at neighborhood dances. Two years after his discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1946, he started working in small nightclubs. In 1965 Rickles attained breakthrough success when he made his first appearance on Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show.

After launching his television and film career, Rickles became a standard fixture in the media, starring in numerous hit shows including The Don Rickles Show, C.P.O. Sharkey, and Don Rickles on the Loose. His film career includes credits in Run Silent, Run Deep, Rat Race, Kelly’s Heroes, and Casino.

Stop by the Touhill’s Ticket Office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. located at 8001 Natural Bridge Rd. St. Louis, MO 63121. Student and group discounts are also available.