Martin Scorsese pays tribute to Don Rickles: 'He made comedy into an art form'

I had the honor of working with him on my pictureCasino.

He was a professional.

He kept me doubled over with laughter every day on the set yet he was a complete pro.

He just started showing up at places and insulting me.

Experiencing Don, and tuning into his mind, I witnessed the evolution of his comedy.

It was like listening to a great jazz musician wail.

Nobody else did what he did.

He made comedy into an art form.

And like all geniuses, comic or otherwise, hes irreplaceable.

He was much loved.

Im really missing this man.

Back in 1997, Rickles memorably roasted Scorsese when the filmmaker received the AFI Life Achievement Award.

Marty, you are the most annoying director I ever had, Rickles said.

He added, When we see all the films you did, none of them were great.

Watch Rickles roast Scorsese in the video above.