Don Rickles, who voiced Mr Potato Head in the Toy Story films, died of kidney failure at his Los Angeles home on Thursday. Tom Hanks, who played Woody in the movies,: "A God died today. Don Rickles, we did not want to ever lose you. Never. Hanx." Jimmy Kimmel also paid an emotional tribute on his US talk show. "I'm going to cry, I'm already crying," he said at the beginning of Thursday night's show as he began a 12-minute tribute to Rickles. "I know it sounds crazy to say he was too young [to die] but he was, because he was youthful and funny and sharp and generous.I was fortunate enough to not only have to not only have him on this show as my guest but also to become close to him." Rickles was due to reprise his role as Mr Potato Head for Toy Story 4 - which is due for release in 2019. However Pixar and Disney have not yet confirmed whether or not the comedian had already recorded his dialogue for the film. As it is currently in the pre-production stage, the script and voice recordings may not been completed yet. In 2015, Hanks told the BBC’s Graham Norton that he had begun recording his character Woody's lines for the film. But he later explained that the production of the Toy Story films was a long process, and actors go into the studio to record new dialogue roughly every six months. It is possible that Rickles had completed his work on the film, but at such an early stage in the production process it would be unlikely. Several Hollywood veterans have also come forward to pay tribute to the comedian, whose career spanned 60 years. Martin Scorsese, who worked with Rickles on Casino, described Rickles as "a giant and a legend". "He was a professional. He kept me doubled over with laughter every day on the set - yet he was a complete pro," the director said. Mel Brooks tweeted: "Don Rickles. One of the bravest, funniest, and sweetest guys that ever performed. A dear pal that we will all sorely miss." "One of the all time great men and comics... always a class act and funny as hell. RIP, condolences to his family & to America," said Whoopi Goldberg. Dick Van Dyke wrote: "Those were the days, my friend @DonRickles We thought they'd never end. We loved you so." Other stars who paid tribute on social media included Barbara Streisand, Jim Carret, Chris Rock, Mark Wahlberg and Danny DeVito. ~~~ Cred: BBC/Metro/Reuters
